The Use of Comprehensive Review Courses for the Preparation of Dietitians by Coordinated Programs

Abstract

A survey of Coordinated Program (CP) Directors was conducted in the Fall of 1994 to determine the use of comprehensive review courses in the preparation of future dietitians. Surveys were sent to all 51 CP Directors listed in the 1994–1995 Directory of Dietetics Programs. Thirty-two Program Directors (62.75%) responded. Knowledge requirements were comprehensively reviewed by 34% of the responding programs by tests or workshops; performance requirements were comprehensively reviewed by 28%. The majority of the CPs offering comprehensive review courses or workshops did so in the final semester of the program. Most required the course for graduation (73%) and a majority offered the course for a grade other than pass/fail (82%). The instructional methods for providing the comprehensive review were self-directed study by students, team-taught by a broad spectrum of faculty and group directed study by students. Passing the review course was a requirement for graduation in 80% of CPs and a requirement for verification in 70% of CPs. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of the Program Directors offering a comprehensive review course or workshop stated their graduates’ scores on the Registration Examination for Dietitians have improved since implementing such a course or workshop. There is a demonstrated benefit in the use of comprehensive curriculum review courses by students in and graduates of Coordinated Programs.