Advances and controversies in clinical nutrition: the education outcome of a live continuing medical education course.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess participants' nutrition knowledge and practice behavior before and after completing a live continuing medical education (CME) nutrition course designed for practicing nutrition clinicians. METHODS: Electronic surveys were sent to the first 100 registered participants before and after attending the course. The curriculum consisted of 16.75 hours of live education. The curriculum was revised when the precourse surveys identified a gap in medical knowledge or practice behavior. Knowledge change was assessed by a 15-question survey given before and 1 week after the course. Change in practice behavior was accessed by a 10-question survey administered 2 months after the course. RESULTS: Dietitians were the predominant discipline group attending the course. Sixty-three percent of those surveyed practiced hospital nutrition, 19% outpatient nutrition, and 18% an equal mix. Forty-eight percent indicated that they write parenteral nutrition (PN) orders and 51% write enteral nutrition (EN) orders; of these, 62% indicated they are comfortable writing PN orders and 81% are comfortable writing EN orders. Twenty-three percent indicated that they manage home PN and EN patients. Twenty-six percent stated they were certified in nutrition support. Seventy-eight percent of the participants responded to survey 2; the median correct response rates were 51% pre- and 76% postcourse. Seventy percent responded to survey 3; the median positive clinical practice behavior change was 69%. CONCLUSION: This live CME course improved knowledge, and a majority of attendants reported changing their nutrition practice after this course.