SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22
Poster Session: Professional Skills; Nutrition Assessment & Diagnosis; Medical Nutrition Therapy Internship Match and Entry Level Exam Performance of Undergraduate versus Graduate Level Didactic Students
Patient-driven, Nutrition Education Program for Adults with Type II Diabetes Among a Small Great Basin Tribe
Author: B. Leonberg; Drexel University
Author(s): C. Wilson1, L. Tom-Orme2, J. Metos3; 1University of Utah, 2Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah, 3Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, University of Utah
Learning Outcome: Participants will be able to state potential enhanced outcomes of students who enter the dietetic internship and take the entry level exam after completing a master’s level DPD. Background: Didactic programs in nutrition and dietetics have typically been taught at the undergraduate (bachelor’s degree [BS]) level. In 2009, Drexel University added a graduate (master’s degree [MS]) level track, aimed at providing a route to entering the profession to applicants who have already completed a BS in another discipline. The purpose of this project was to compare acceptance to dietetic internship, first-time pass rates, and exam score percentiles on the entry level exam for BS- vs. MS- prepared students from the same university. Methods: Dietetic internship (DI) acceptance rates were calculated using data provided to program directors by D &D Digital (Ames, IA). First-time pass rates and exam score percentiles on the entry level exam were calculated using exam data provided by Pearson Vue (Bloomington, MN). Results: Between January 2011 and December 2016, 59 BS and 106 MS students applied for DI; 34/59 (58%) of BS students and 83/106 (77%) of MS students received a DI match via the computer match. An additional 25/59 (42%) and15/106 (14%) later matched with the Drexel Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP). In total, 88% (52/59) of BS students and 92% (98/106) of MS students matched with a DI or ISPP during their first application cycle. During the same period, 85% (33/39) of BS alumni (mean score 50th percentile) and 97% (72/74) of MS alumni (mean score 70th percentile) taking the entry level exam passed on their first attempt. Conclusion: Graduates of a master’s level DPD have higher acceptance rates to DI, higher first-time pass rates, and higher score percentiles on the entry level exam, as compared to BS graduates. The future education model can be expected to better prepare students for success in DI and on the entry-level exam.
Learning Outcome: Participants will be able to identify the successful components of a diabetes nutrition program developed by an American Indian dietitian for an underserved Great Basin Tribe. Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is prevalent among a small, underserved, Great Basin tribe that straddles the Utah-Nevada state line. The geographically isolated tribe faces nutritional challenges with food access and lack of health care. The purpose of this patient-driven, nutrition education program is to test the effectiveness of lesson plans delivered by an American Indian dietitian for patients with T2DM.
Methods: A needs assessment was conducted through in-depth interviews with community members, and resulted in implementation of three tailored lesson plans. By deliberate choice, program administrators were of American Indian descent in hopes that the curriculum would align to cultural sensitivities and patient receptiveness. Participants were contacted using convenience sampling. Instructional materials accompanying the lesson plans included handouts, visuals, and prompts. Changes in patient awareness, attitude, knowledge and behavior were evaluated. Results: T2DM is evident among one-fourth of the adult population living on the Great Basin reservation and 20 (91%) received nutrition education. Lesson plan topics implemented were: Carbohydrate Counting (n¼9), My Plate (n¼6), and Healthy Cooking (n¼5). Based on evaluations, 75% of participants’ stated increased nutrition knowledge, 75% felt confident to practice what they learned, 80% found the lesson very helpful, and 100% agreed the instructor delivered a culturally appropriate lesson. Conclusions: Overall, this program influenced participation rates and improved nutrition knowledge which demonstrated effectiveness of patient-driven lessons delivered by an American Indian dietitian. Future projects for this population should provide continuous educational support and assess clinical outcomes.
Funding Disclosure: Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship - First Nations Development Institute
Funding Disclosure: None
Middle East Dietetics Needs Assessment: Identifying Opportunities for Future Collaborative Activities Author(s): E. Myers1, R. Hakeem2, N. Bdour3, T. Kour4, F. Atayata5, S. Tashtoush6, N. Cakir Bicer7, S. Sakar7, C. Erginbas7, R. Kahill8, M. Herrera9, M. Boyd10; 1EF Myers Consulting, Inc, 2Raana Laiqat Ali Khan College of Home Economics - Karachi, 3Hamad Medical Corporation, 4 Middle East at Action Against Hunger, 5Compass Group, 6King Abdulla Medical City, 7 Istanbul Arel University, 8Vision Healthcare Systems (International) Pty Ltd, 9Universidad Central de Venezuela, 10American Overseas Dietetic Association
Learning Outcome: Identify methods for conducting dietetics needs assessments that use social media (Linked In) and common issues and opportunities for collaborative activities selected by dietitians/nutritionists in the Greater Middle East.
Background: Recent advancements in the dietetics profession in education, practice, and research are disseminated/adopted through collaborations across borders. A needs assessment of dietitians in the Middle East is the first step in identifying future collaborations.
Method: The 41 item needs assessment survey was translated into Arabic and Turkish and was disseminated through Linked In groups, country dietetic organizations when available, and by country representatives (CR) from Feb-June 2016. The research team met to evaluate results and identify potential future projects.
Results: Responses from 542 dietitians represented 21 of 30 Middle Eastern countries. Dietitians reported working in their country from < 2 years (37%) >2-5 years (20%). >5-10 years and > 10 years (24%). Over half (56%) had been employed as a dietitian for <5 years with 54% working in hospitals, 34% in outpatient consultation and 11% in research/ academia. Undergraduate preparation was usually a 3-5 year BS (86.9%) with 13 % reporting less than BS degree. In addition, 11% reported a MS degree and 9% reported a doctoral degree. The most common title was either Dietitian (28%) or Nutritionist (22%) with 60% holding a government or professional society credential. Discussions about the question/issues in dietetics education, credentialing, evidence-based practice, and nutrition care process/terminology led to development of two potential follow-up projects.
Prevalence of Food Insecurity among Hospitalized Patients Author(s): D. Sowa, C. Hartney, A. Asthana, S. Peterson; Rush University Medical Center Learning Outcome: Describe prevalence of food insecurity among adult patients admitted to a general medical/surgical unit. Household food insecurity, defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate food, is associated with obesity. Minimal information is available to describe the prevalence of food insecurity among hospitalized adult patients. This project determined rates of food insecurity among adult patients admitted to a tertiary medical center. A convenience sample of 600 adult patients admitted to general medical/surgical floor was utilized. Patients were asked over the previous year if they worried about food running out or if they had enough money to get more food if needed. Responses were categorized as often, sometimes and never; patients were defined as food insecure if they responded often or sometimes. Patients were queried regarding utilization of supplemental nutrition assistance programs (SNAP) and food banks/depositories (FB) over the past year. Age, gender, race/ethnic and BMI were also collected. Patients were overweight (29.98.4 kg/m2), middle aged (55.87.1 years old), women (58%) and Caucasian (39%) and African American (39%). Approximately 16% identified as food insecure. There was no difference in age or BMI between food secure and insecure patients. However, food insecure patients were more likely to be morbidly obese (21%vs.12%, p¼0.03) compared to the food secure. Almost 20% of the sample used SNAP and 13% used FB. However, only 45% and 35% of food insecure patients utilized SNAP and FB, respectively. A better understanding of food security among hospitalized patients can facilitate the creation of targeted interventions to improve diet. These data suggests that food insecure patients may not be utilizing food assistance programs. Funding Disclosure: None
Conclusion: This study offered insights into internationalizing dietetics practice through effective collaboration and cross-cultural learning, in this case through 1) Awareness and Support for Professional Practice Issues (Nutrition Care Process and Evidence Based Dietetics Practice) and 2) Dietitian/Nutritionist Advocacy Issues projects.
Funding Disclosure: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation
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JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
September 2017 Suppl 1—Abstracts Volume 117 Number 9