Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2005

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Nutrition, Food Science, and Hospitality

Abstract

Background - Clinical nutrition has only recently emerged as an important discipline in modern medicine. For infants and children, failure to thrive may be the first clue to an active disease process that has not manifested with specific symptoms. Insufficient nutrition is one of the underlying causes of failure to thrive. Practitioners routinely see infants for well-baby checkups during the first year of life, can assess growth for abnormalities, and identify failure to thrive.

Objective-The objective of the study was to determine medical practitioner perception of their nutrition education for diagnosis of failure to thrive and to examine medical school courses offered with failure to thrive topics.

Methods - An electronic questionnaire consisting often questions regarding medical education and practice for diagnosis of failure to thrive was sent to 2 practitioner listservs. Responses were coded into categorical observations for statistical analysis using JMP IN from SAS Institute, Inc, version 4. Nonparametric methods were used to analyze data. In addition, a medical curriculum database was examined with data collection via searchable terms to find courses or subjects offered that included failure to thrive topics.

Results - Survey - Responses were recorded from 41 states, with practitioners from a variety of practice settings. The majority carried a caseload of76-100% pediatrics. Sixty percent of practitioners sited experience as the single method of education and training for diagnosis of failure to thrive. Practitioners in the first years of practice were receiving education much the same ways as practitioners in practice over 15 years. Only 12% were extremely satisfied with their education and training. Comfort level for diagnosis of failure to thrive increased with years of practice. Almost 2/3 of practitioners reported no ~ a screening tools fer failure to thrive, but most do use growth charts, assess for nutritional intake, vomiting, and diarrhea. Database - Ninety percent of medical schools had nutrition courses integrated into mandatory courses. Seven percent of the schools had stand alone nutrition courses required within the first three years of medical school. Nutrition instruction is commonly taught by more than one method

Conclusions - A small percentage (12%) of practitioners were extremely satisfied with training for diagnosis of failure to thrive and there was no significant difference in satisfaction across all practice groups. Practitioners consider experience to be the leading type of education and training for diagnosis to thrive and comfort levels tend to increase with years in practice. Practitioner use of screening tools in practice for diagnosis of failure to thrive varied, with limited use of developmental screening. Increasing practitioner nutrition awareness, more frequent use of screening tools, and using an interdisciplinary team approach would maximize the potential for better outcomes.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Failure to thrive syndrome -- Diagnosis

Infants -- Nutrition -- Study and teaching

Children -- Nutrition -- Study and teaching

Medicine -- Study and teaching

Nurse practitioners -- Attitudes

Physicians -- Attitudes

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

97

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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