[Faculty of Health and Nutrition] Practical class "Clinical Nutrition Training I" ~ The work of a hospital registered dietitian ~

In the "Clinical Nutrition Practicum I" course for third-year students Faculty of Health and Nutrition, students gain practical knowledge and skills needed to provide appropriate nutritional management to sick people in the medical field.

The third class, which began in April, was a lesson on nutritional therapy based on nutritional care planning. Students sampled enteral nutrition supplements, observed the solidification of semi-solid nutrition supplements that react with gastric acid in the stomach, and learned what kind of nutrition supplements are used for what illnesses.

There are many different types of patients hospitalized in hospitals, including those who cannot get the nutrition they need through food alone and those who cannot take food by mouth. It was impressive to see the students having fun learning with their friends during class, saying things like "delicious," "bitter," "sweet," and "a taste I've never experienced before!" It seems that the experience of using the five senses deepened what they learned in the classroom. Through this practical training, we hope that when they find employment in a hospital or encounter a situation where they are responsible for managing the nutrition of injured or sick people, they will become registered dietitians who can be close to patients.

In the spring semester, the clinical Nutrition will continue with a curriculum that will allow students to learn more specialized subjects such as "meal planning" and "nutritional counseling" through hands-on learning by cooking for themselves and providing simulated nutritional instruction. We would like to continue to introduce the fun learning experience.

(Source: Laboratory of Culinary Research)