Osteopathic Medical Students’ Perceptions of the Importance of Nutrition Education in Their Medical School Curriculum

OBJECTIVES: Despite a growing body of evidence substantiating the efficacy of dietary and lifestyle interventions to manage certain chronic diseases, many physicians fail to equip patients with nutrition knowledge. This can be explained in part by inadequate nutrition education and training in the medical school curriculum. The aim of this study was to evaluate osteopathic medical students’ attitudes towards addressing nutrition and lifestyle in medical practice and their assessment of nutrition content in medical school. METHODS: An anonymous electronic survey consisting of 23 multiple choice questions was distributed through email invitation to all current medical students at two osteopathic medical schools. RESULTS: A total of 145 medical students completed the survey with 37.2% in first year (n = 54), 26.2% in second year (n = 38), 18.6% in third year (n = 27), and 17.9% in fourth year of medical school (n = 26). A majority of students (132 of 145 [91.0%]) indicated that it was extremely or very important to address patients’ diet and lifestyle choices in the management and prevention of certain chronic diseases. Approximately 80.7% (117 of 145) of students reported that discussion of diet and lifestyle should definitely be a task of the primary care physician and that these topics should be addressed during every visit (78 of 145 [53.8%]) or at most visits (62 of 145 [42.8%]). Overall, 60.0% (87 of 145) somewhat disagreed or strongly disagreed that nutrition education was adequately incorporated into their education with 84.1% (122 of 145) preferring increased content. To address this issue, students indicated that nutrition education should be integrated during both preclinical and clinical years (110 of 145 [75.9%]) through a systems-based integrative approach (104 of 145 [71.7%]) as opposed to a stand-alone course (26 of 145 [17.9%]) or supplemental optional lectures (14 of 145 [9.7%]). CONCLUSIONS: Medical students acknowledged the significance of addressing nutrition and lifestyle in medical practice and a need for increased instruction in medical school. Incorporation of nutrition education through a systems-based integrative approach during both preclinical and clinical years of medical school could increase physician utilization of dietary counseling and interventions in medical practice. FUNDING SOURCES: N/A.