Friday, September 15, 2006

Study portrays dismal outlook on doctors understanding importance of nutrition

Nutrition counseling by physicians can improve patients' dietary behaviors and is affected by physician's nutrition practices and attitudes.

A study which appears in this month's issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition aimed to gather perceived relevance of nutrition counseling among graduating US Medical Students at 16 schools. The results are not promising.

Freshmen students were more likely (72%) to find nutrition counseling highly relevant than were students at the time of ward orientation (61%) or during their senior year (46%).

Only 19% of students believed that they had been extensively trained in nutrition counseling, and 17% of seniors reported that they frequently counseled their patients about nutrition.

Steve - there is no excuse for these numbers. It is a direct indictment on our medical education systems. Another uninformed generation loses out or has to figure out for themselves the importance of nutrition counseling. What a disgrace!

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