Nutrition in the University of Cambridge Medical Curriculum – Student Perspectives

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The Cambridge Nutrition Education Review Group (NERG), is comprised of doctors, dietitians and nutritionists particularly within the University of Cambridge, where we evaluated nutrition education awareness in 120 undergraduate medical students (year 4 of 6). Participants were asked to complete a carefully structured questionnaire assessing experience and self-awareness of nutrition related content in the medical curriculum. A total of 39 questions were asked, and each question carried equal weighting. Of these, 11 questions were opinion based, 24 consisted of self-perceived competency questions and there were 2 questions with reference to the quality and quantity of nutrition education in their learning experience to date. When asked about opinions on nutrition education, 90% students agreed that a multidisciplinary patient-centred approach would be beneficial. 89% of students also reported patients requiring specific nutritional advice should be referred to a nutritionist/dietitian. Out of a maximum confidence score of 130 the mean confidence score was calculated as 77 (59.2%; SD± 17) and the lowest recorded score was 35 (27%). Figure 1. denotes perceived quality and quality of current nutrition teaching. These findings are consistent with the literature from other medical schools worldwide and highlight the ongoing need to work globally to strengthen medical nutrition education, through a multi-disciplinary approach. Figure 1.The quality and quantity of nutrition teaching within the Cambridge University medical degree Figure 1a. Quantity Figure 1b. Quality