Medical nutritional therapy for adults

The aim of this course is for the students to attain advanced training in medical nutrition therapy, and the functions and role of a clinical nutritionist. The course provides advanced training in causes, pathophysiology, diagnostics and treatment of disease-related malnutrition in adults. The students will receive basic introduction to pathophysiology, diagnostic procedures and relevant medical treatment of somatic diseases, in addition to thorough training in changing nutritional needs in the case of disease, and medical nutrition therapy of somatic diseases in adults. The course provides training in the Nutrition Care Process.

The course covers gastrointestinal diseases, diseases of the liver and pancreas, lungs, kidneys, rheumatology, neurology, in addition to cancer, critical illness and geriatrics. The students will also be given an introduction to nutritional issues in the case of psychiatric disease. The course will cover issues relating to the role of a clinical nutritionist in the health service, including clinical tasks, interprofessional relations, work ethics and communication with patients, clients, next of kin and other health professionals. The course makes use of a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, demonstrations, group work and clinical placement.

Upon completion of the course, the student will have achieved the following learning outcome, defined by knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge: The students...

• have knowledge of competence, tasks and areas of responsibility of cooperating professions, and the place and organization of nutritional work within the healthcare sector.
• have thorough knowledge of the most important areas of responsibility and work methods for clinical nutritionists in secondary care.
• have thorough knowledge of methods of documentation, the demand for confidentiality in all fields of practice, and ethical aspects of medical records.
• have thorough knowledge of continuity of care, and how patients and clients alternates between primary and secondary care curing a period of disease.
• are able to apply knowledge of the healthcare and welfare system, laws, regulations and guidelines relevant for nutrition in their service, and relate to health and social policy.
• have thorough knowledge of the metabolic changes that occur in the case of disease, and how these affect the nutritional needs of the patients.
• have thorough knowledge of causes, occurrence, consequences and treatment of disease-related malnutrition.
• have thorough knowledge of therapeutic diets and texture-modified diets.
• have advanced knowledge of the steps of the Nutrition Care Process, including assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation, the accompanying model and terminology.
• have advanced knowledge of medical nutritional therapy when facing complex nutrition-related issues and critical illness.
• have advanced knowledge within diagnosis-specific nutritional therapy of gastrointestinal diseases, diseases of the liver and pancreas, lungs, kidneys, rheumatology, neurology, cancer, critical illness and geriatrics
• have knowledge of social and health-related problems, including neglect, violence, abuse, drugs and socioeconomic problems and be able to identify and manage people with these challenges. The candidate will be able to effect necessary measures and/or treatment, or refer if needed.
• have advanced knowledge of communication, interaction and cooperation to establish trust and maintain a good relation and promote motivation in clients, patients and next of kin, and how language and culture affects this.
• have thorough knowledge of how variations in health competence affects the diet, disease management, coping and self-care of different patient groups
• have knowledge of inclusion, equality and non-discrimination, and contribute to secure equal services within clinical nutrition for all groups in society

Skills: The students...

• can use relevant methods to uncover risk for unfortunate events and mange this in a systematic manner.
• can analyze and critically assess methods for nutritional assessment, including diet and nutritional intake, anthropometry, biochemical data and physical findings
• can use pharmacological knowledge to explain functions, interactions, side effects and contraindications of pharmaceuticals which are relevant within nutrition.
• can use relevant methods to manage and evaluate nutritional status for different users of health services and groups of patients.
• can analyze complex medical conditions, and apply adapted and targeted medical nutritional therapy.
• can use knowledge of the immune system to minister nutritional therapy in the case of infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.
• can use gathered information, and compare with criteria, recommendations and guidelines, and utilize this to make a nutritional diagnosis
• can use knowledge of nutritional assessment and diagnosis to conduct a nutritional intervention.
• can use relevant medical nutrition products, including choice and dosage of oral nutritional supplements, enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition.
• can use patient-centered processes of teaching, mastery and change
• can use relevant methods for adapted communication depending on the recipient's level of function and knowledge of diet and nutrition.

General competence: The students...

• can disseminate evidence-based practice regarding diet and nutrition to patients, clients, next of kin and other health professions in a scientific and understandable manner.
• can make use of their knowledge and skills to formulate and update procedures and routines in the case of nutrition-related conditions and diseases.
• can make use of their knowledge and skills in evidence-base nutritional practice
• can analyze, reflect upon and manage ethical issues in their work as clinical nutritionists, in accordance with professional, ethical guidelines.
• can make use of their knowledge and skills to administer nutritional therapy for adult patients
• can make use of their knowledge and skills to work as a clinical nutritionist in accordance to academic standards
• can make use of their knowledge and skills to reflect upon their own role and practice as a clinical nutritionist, also in interdisciplinary teams.