Needs assessment on training programs and materials in the field of international nutrition according to one’s career stage / 国際保健医療

ABSTRACT

<B>Introduction</B><BR>This study was undertaken to identify needs of training and educational materials on international nutrition by career stage.<BR><B>Methods</B><BR>Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and a questionnaire survey were conducted in September and October 2008. In FGD, the participants were divided into three groups; undergraduate students who can potentially be involved in future nutrition activity for international cooperation (“students”), graduate students in international health or young workers involved in international cooperation through researches or programs on nutrition (“young”), and the experts who have worked for international nutrition cooperation (“experienced”). The results of FGD and questionnaire survey were categorized using the modified KJ methods.<BR><B>Results</B><BR>The numbers of FGD participants were two for “students”, four for “young” and seven for “experienced”. The questionnaires were completed by 119 undergraduate students. The specific issues they expected to learn in the field of international health and nutrition were the current situation in developing countries for the “students” and the process to identify the specific problems for the “young” and “experienced” The skills they would like to acquire were English proficiency for the “students” and “young” and understanding of the working fields as well as communication skills for the “young” and “experienced”. As for the necessary experience to get a job of international cooperation, working experience as a dietitian in Japan was stated by all groups. Additionally, the “young” mentioned overseas experience and the “experienced” suggested adaptability to different cultures as well as interpersonal skills.<BR><B>Conclusions</B><BR>This study identified communication skills as the needs common to all groups, while different needs were also identified by one›s career stage; especially educational needs among the “students” and training needs among the “young” and “experienced”. It is urgently required to develop training and educational materials on international nutrition that would meet the needs of each career stage.