Korean J Fam Med.  2024 Jan;45(1):37-43. 10.4082/kjfm.23.0086.

Perception of Nutrition Education and Subjective Competency in Nutrition Topics among Korean Family Medicine Residents

• Park SG
• Park Y

• KMID: 2550818
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.23.0086

Abstract

Background
Appropriate nutrition is necessary for maintaining good health in the general population. During primary physician training, it is important to educate residents on the basic concepts of nutrition and methods to manage nutritional aspects according to various disease. However, little is known about the perception of nutritional education among Korean family medicine residents. This study analyzed the recognition of the importance of nutritional education, the amount received, and satisfaction with it as well as self-perceived competency in various nutrition topics among residents.
Methods
Web-based questionnaires were sent via mobile messages to all the residents registered with the Korean Academy of Family Medicine (KAFM). Out of 566 residents, 68 voluntarily participated in the study. The questionnaire consisted of 41 items related to perceptions of nutrition education, self-perceived competency in nutrition topics, and demographic characteristics.
Results
The response rate was 12.01%. Residents rated their satisfaction with nutrition education at 4.78 out of 10, and 83.3% considered it important. However, only 13.24% of the participants felt that it was adequate. The most common training method for nutrition education was lectures at KAFM conferences. Among the 29 nutritional topics, the residents reported highest confidence in subjects related to chronic diseases such as obesity (77.94%), diabetes (75%), cardiovascular disease (67.65%), gastrointestinal disorders (67.65%), and weight loss management (67.65%). Conversely, topics related to women (36.76%), children and adolescents (38.23%), drug-nutrient interactions (39.7%), eating disorders (42.64%), and food labels (42.64%) showed low self-perceived confidence rates.
Conclusion
Korean family medicine residents value nutrition education but believe that more education is necessary and they demonstrate differences in self-perceived competency in various nutrition topics.

Keyword

Nutrition; Self Concept; Clinical Competence; Education; Family Medicine