Journal article
Building dietetic student confidence and professional identity through participation in a university health clinic
Nutrition & dietetics, Vol.73(3), pp.229-234
2016
Abstract
Aim: The objectives of this study were to explore the impact of participating in a university-based dietetic clinic on student's perceived confidence and recognition of skills needed for practice and explore students' overall experience of attending the clinic. Methods: A curriculum-based university clinic provided third-year students with an experiential learning opportunity to practice diet history interviewing skills on real clients. Qualitative data were gathered through focus groups with 13 (43% of total enrolment) third-year nutrition and dietetics students who were recruited via an email invitation. Focus groups were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted by all three authors. Results: Engaging in an authentic learning environment was viewed positively by students and enabled them to develop confidence and a sense of professional identity. The experience also enabled students to identify personal learning needs and skills required for future practice, and gain insight into the realities of practice. Conclusion: These findings support the evidence that dietetic curriculum should provide students with authentic learning opportunities in a safe environment, prior to potentially stressful placement experiences. This enables students to discover the nuances of dietetic practice, practise people-related skills and develop confidence in those skills that are crucial to practice.
Details
- Title
- Building dietetic student confidence and professional identity through participation in a university health clinic
- Authors
- Elizabeth Swanepoel (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringJudith Tweedie (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringJudith Maher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Nutrition & dietetics, Vol.73(3), pp.229-234
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
- Date published
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1111/1747-0080.12268
- ISSN
- 1446-6368
- Organisation Unit
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; Centre for Bioinnovation; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449488402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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