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An exploration of dietetic student learning through participation in a university run weight management clinic
Abstract   Peer reviewed

An exploration of dietetic student learning through participation in a university run weight management clinic

Judith Tweedie, Elizabeth Swanepoel and Judith Maher
Nutrition & dietetics, Vol.70(Supplement 1), p.42
Dietitians Association of Australia National Conference, 30th (Canberra, Australia, 23-May-2013–25-May-2013)
2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12035
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https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12035View
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Abstract

Nutrition and Dietetics Public Health and Health Services Food Sciences
University based nutrition and dietetic clinics are being developed in Australia to provide work-based practical experience and develop placement capacity. It is important to understand the contexts in which these clinics operate and the impact of these on student learning. In 2011 the University of the Sunshine Coast commenced a curriculum based weight management clinic, to provide Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics students with an experiential learning opportunity to practice diet history interview skills on "real" clients, prior to clinical placement. This study aimed to explore the impact of participating in the weight management clinic on student's confidence and recognition of skills needed for practice, and explore students overall experience of attending the clinic. Using a qualitative study design of focus group discussions thirteen students (43% of total enrolments) participated in this study. Thematic analysis revealed that the clinic increased their perceivedconfidence to perform diet histories, in particular for future interviewing of real clients. Constructive feedback from the clinic supervisor, student self-reflection, and role modeling by the clinic supervisor enabled students to recognise skills required for practice, such as interpersonal communication, relationship building and food knowledge. Other key themes that emerged were the impact on student's professional identity, identification of the nuances of "real" client-health practitioner interactions and the application of learned theory in a real-life context. These findings support the evidence that dietetic curriculum should provide opportunities for students to acquire people-related skills early in their course and develop confidence in those skills that are crucial to practice.

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