A mini-fellowship in clinical nutrition for primary care physicians

When the Regional Nutrition Center's (RNC's) mini-fellowship was being developed, physicians teaching in medical schools and residency programs had little formal training in nutrition, so it was difficult to identify faculty to serve as role models and clinical preceptors. Using funds provided by an NIH/NCI R-25 grant, the mini-fellowship in clinical nutrition was developed as a model to meet the nutrition education needs of senior residents and junior faculty in primary care disciplines. It provided a brief but broad exposure to clinical nutrition topics, with a focus on issues relevant to the practice of primary care and teaching skills. In four weeks, fellows completed didactic course work, a clinical preceptorship, and a teaching project. Tracking of the 55 physicians who completed the program by questionnaires has shown significant improvement in their nutrition-related patient care activities.