Nutrition Knowledge and Skills Training for Health Professionals
Nutrition is increasingly recognised as a priority area to reduce the burden of disease. The United Nations has declared 2016–2025 as the Decade of Nutrition.
Health Professionals require knowledge and skills to identify nutritional issues for their patients/clients, which plays a crucial role in the prevention of poor health and management of chronic disease.
Incorporating nutrition into continuing professional development is important for two key reasons. First, many patients are aware of the link between diet and health and look to Health Professionals as trusted sources of knowledge for guidance on nutrition. Second, we need Health Professionals to act as role models and be advocates for dietary change. This includes having a referral network to refer to dietitians where medical nutrition therapy is required.
Importantly, Health Professionals are not being asked to replace dietitians who they may refer to, but to position themselves with the knowledge and skills to facilitate healthier food choices and eating patterns among their clients and community. Continuing education activities that develop the confidence and capabilities of Health Professionals to do this are essential.
Through these CPD opportunities, Health Professionals will develop competency in:
Understanding the role of and identification of nutritional red flags in chronic disease prevention, management, and treatment.
Knowledge of the latest scientific research for managing/treating a specific health condition
Skills in addressing their patients’ nutrition questions and debunking nutrition myths.
Through ongoing partnerships, The Nutrition Doctor is committed to working with Professional Associations to provide relevant professional training opportunities and encourages professional associations, workplaces and individual health professionals to reach out to discuss topics of interest using the form below.