Study Title
Reference to nutrition in medical accreditation and curriculum guidance: A comparative analysis.
Principal Investigator
Breanna Lepre, Kylie J Mansfield, Sumantra Ray, Eleanor Beck.
Affiliation
University of Wollongong, NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, University of Cambridge.
Start Date
January 2021.
End Date
March 2021.
Study Objective
To identify nutrition content or requirements for nutrition education in accreditation standards or formal curriculum guidance for medical education internationally.
Short Abstract
This review finds that nutrition is insufficiently represented in accreditation and curriculum guidance for medical education at all levels. Only 44% of accreditation standards include nutrition, despite the emphasis on meeting community needs and the demands of the labor market. The study suggests that embedding nutrition education in accreditation frameworks could incentivize its integration into medical curricula.
Study Design
A non-systematic comparative analysis of accreditation standards, competency standards, curricula, and assessment content related to nutrition education in medical programs.
Population
Accreditation bodies, medical schools, and healthcare professionals involved in medical education globally.
Sample Size
57 documents reviewed from 20 countries and 40 organizations.
Inclusion Criteria
Accreditation standards, competency frameworks, curricula, and assessment content related to medical education.
Exclusion Criteria
None specified.
Intervention/Exposure
Review of existing regulatory frameworks and formal curriculum guidance for nutrition education in medical programs across different regions.
Outcome Measures
- Identification of nutrition education requirements in medical accreditation and curriculum guidance
- Global trends in the inclusion of nutrition in medical education
Funding Source
No specific funding declared.
Collaborating Institutions
University of Wollongong, NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, University of Cambridge.
Ethics Approval
Not required (review article).
Publication Status
Published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, March 2021.
Keywords
Nutrition education, medical accreditation, curriculum guidance, comparative analysis.
Data Collection Methods
Internet searches and review of reports, standards, and publications from regulatory and professional bodies relevant to medical education.
Primary Data Availability
Not applicable (review article).
Contact Information
Breanna Lepre,