The Significance of Nutritional Comprehensive Training Course and improvements in Curricula and the Graduates of the Nutrition Department, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi

Abstract

One of the fundamental qualities that graduates must possess is knowledge and complete confidence in performing their duties in proportion to the labor market, as these competencies will not come without a realistic study of the educational outcomes of the institution. A comprehensive training course on a physical nutritional examination approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietitian was designed for the graduates of the Nutrition Department of the College of Public Health, University of Benghazi. This study aimed to study the significant differences in skills improvement. 200 graduates enrolled in this training course. A validated questionnaire was distributed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietitian before and after the course. The consequences and opportunities for improvement in skills were studied, as well as identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum. The data were analyzed using non-parametric measurements by SPSS version 20©. Result: Significant improvements were seen in the graduate's evaluation of their overall performance. When comparing opinion polls before and after testing, participants noted an increase in their perceived ability to assess subcutaneous fat and muscle, fluid build-up, and malnutrition P = ≤ 0.00. Furthermore, there is a significant increase in graduate's conformance 45% (n= 90) in touching patients. Equal to 50% (n=100) of graduates have increased their focus on the importance of adding fundamentals of medicine to the educational curriculum of the Nutrition Department. Among the graduates, 82% (n=91) and 18% (n=36) felt that they needed moretraining in communication skills and that the experience would increase, respectively. The training program was effective in improving skills, mastery, and confidence in the performance of most of the graduates. Intensive feedback was collected from graduates to improve and develop educational curricula