Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

Department

Department of Physician Assistant Medicine

First Advisor

Justin M. Gambini, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose: The primary purpose of this article is to review an effective to implement nutrition education within an already established PA curriculum. Method: The search strategy was devised in consultation with a university medical librarian. Five databases were searched and included PubMed, EBSCO, SCOPUS, Google Scholar and Education Source. The literature search was conducted using subject headings (MeSH), as well as words and phrases, including but not limited to nutrition education, graduate medical education, medical students, physician assistant, nutrition curriculum, lifestyle medicine, culinary medicine and education assessment. The search was conducted from February 2022 through July 2022 and was limited to articles pertaining to US medical and PA schools from 2016 onward. Fourteen pertinent articles were retrieved and will serve as the basis for this article. Results: Currently, ample research has been conducted which shows the inadequacy of nutrition education within graduate medical education. However, there is little research regarding the best practice for implementation of nutrition education within the PA curriculum. Lifestyle Medicine appears to be a promising avenue for this deficit. Conclusion: Nutrition curriculums are varied and heterogeneous among graduate medical education programs. However, there is good evidence to show that the inclusion of a nutrition curriculum within a lifestyle medicine curriculum are an effective way to improve competencies regarding nutrition education. Despite the evidence of how to best provide nutrition education, there is little information regarding the appropriate timing of such curriculum as well as a standardized assessment of knowledge. These parameters remain an area of continued research.

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