A correspondence course for the further education of French dietitians -- a pilot experiment run by Nancy University

A further education scheme French dietitians began in 1975 at the request of the Association of French Dietitians. Because the dietitians were widely scattered, a correspondence course was chosen. The three-year course comprises 18 booklets including pathology, physiology, organisation and administration, community law and hygiene, and pedagogy. At the end of each booklet the candidates write a paper, on a given aspect of the subject concerned, which is returned to the training centre for correction by the writer of the booklet. Each year the dietitians and teaching staff assemble for a five-day seminar at which the subjects are further elaborated. Candidates completing 12 written papers and attending all three seminars are eligible to sit the examination. Over the past five years, 679 dietitians have taken part in this course and 126 candidates have passed Nancy University's advanced dietetics examination. The original feature of this scheme is that dietitians are able to study for higher qualifications whilst continuing their regular professional duties.