Course design of Nutrition Counseling and Education: a course optimization plan based on the experience of four universities in the United States / 中华医学教育探索杂志

ABSTRACT

This study aims to optimize the teaching design of Nutritional Counseling and Education, a core course for registered dietitians in China, to strengthen the cultivation of practical nutrition counseling and education abilities of nutritional professionals in China, and to provide reference for other colleges and universities intending to offer the same type of courses. This study thoroughly examined the course design of Nutrition Counseling and Education in four universities in the United States, and compared it with the course design in Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. A profound comparison revealed that our course design was basically in line with that of the United States in terms of knowledge and ability cultivation objectives as well as the contents, teaching modes, and performance evaluation methods of theoretical and practical courses. However, there were slight deficiencies in our course design in terms of the integration of theoretical and practical courses, as well as the diversity and depth of practical courses. Our course design can be optimized by developing online teaching resources, drafting practical guidance manuals, increasing the number of practice bases, and enriching the modality and content of practical courses.