Journal article
Concept-based curriculum: An evidence-based approach to developing a new framework for dietetics education?
Nutrition and Dietetics, Vol.80(5), pp.537-548
2025
PMCID: PMC12583894
PMID: 40754727
Abstract
Aims
Concept-based approaches to curricula have been proposed as a solution to this issue, and 56 concepts have been proposed for dietetics curricula. This study aimed to develop a framework for a dietetic concept-based curriculum.
Methods
A pragmatic approach was employed by a team of nine experienced Australian dietetic educators. Iterative processes of idea generation, reflection, group discussion, and consensus formation were applied by seven of the academics in a two-day face-to-face workshop and four online meetings to further develop the 56 curriculum concepts previously identified for dietetics by Tweedie et al. The discussions were supported by document analysis and critical discussion with two other academics as a reference group. The finalised set of concepts were conceptualised into a curriculum framework.
Results
The original 56 concepts were expanded to 63, with seven concepts added in response to developing workforce demands. The 63 concepts were arranged into a framework of 19 core and 44 supporting concepts. Two exemplars were developed to show how five core concepts could be taught. The research team's processes and experiences provide a method for renewing curricula using concepts to guide others wishing to take this approach.
Conclusion
This study used an evidence-based approach to develop the first concept-based curriculum framework for dietetics. This paper provides a guide and practical tools for dietetics curriculum developers willing to apply a different approach. These findings have implications for curriculum renewal in other competency-based credentialing programs.
Details
- Title
- Concept-based curriculum: An evidence-based approach to developing a new framework for dietetics education?
- Authors
- Andrea Begley (Corresponding Author) - Curtin UniversityJanica Jamieson - Edith Cowan UniversityGemma Jenkins - Edith Cowan UniversityJaneane Dart - Monash UniversityLauren T Williams - Griffith UniversitySimone Gibson - Monash UniversityFiona E Pelly - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Nutrition & DieteticsHattie H Wright - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Nutrition & DieteticsClaire Palermo - Monash University
- Publication details
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Vol.80(5), pp.537-548
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1111/1747-0080.70032
- ISSN
- 1747-0080
- PMID
- 40754727; PMC12583894
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Author(s). Nutrition & Dietetics published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Dietitians Australia. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
- Data Availability
- Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; Cancer Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991149240002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Nutrition & Dietetics
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