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Proposal for Incorporation of Nutrition Science in First Year Undergraduate Medical Curriculum in India

Author Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Biochemistry, KLE University’s J N Medical College Belgaum, Karnataka, INDIA

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 1, Issue (2), Pages 60-62, October,14 (2012)

Abstract

Health and nutrition are intimately and intricately connected. Effective use of dietary interventions and nutritional advice is integral part of the art and science of effective clinical care. The general public and patients approach doctors as the most reliable and trusted source of information on diet and nutrition. Surprisingly very little attention has been given to the formal training provided to doctors in this area. First-year in medical course is an excellent avenue for introducing basic concepts in nutrition. Purpose of this paper is to suggest incorporation of Nutrition science in first year MBBS curriculum. Teaching learning will be accomplished according to following three domains: Cognitive domain (Knowledge of basic physiological and biochemical aspects of nutrition science), Affective domain (appreciate the importance of good nutrition in reducing the incidence of diseases) and Psychomotor domain (measuring anthropometric parameters, calculating body mass index etc)Lectures sessions of 45 minute to 1 hour will be developed for each topic area to address cognitive objectives and will be divided between Physiology and Biochemistry faculty. Reading assignments on the content area will be provided to students and informed about the reference books. Demonstrations and practical sessions of 1 hour duration weekly will be incorporated to meet the psychomotor objectives. Small group discussion sessions of one hour per week will be conducted to achieve affective objective and also to give feedback to students. This proposed clinical nutrition curriculum will be of horizontal integration between Biochemistry and Physiology. By incorporating this plan in First year MBBS curriculum student will develop knowledge, attitude and skills regarding science of nutrition with better clinical correlation.

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