NUT503 Introduction to Clinical Dietetics (8)

This subject provides an introduction to theory and practice of nutritional and dietetic clinical care. It will include the collection, analysis and assessment of the nutritional status and health of individuals. Students will explore the importance of integration of research and evaluation principles into practice. The subject also introduces the importance demonstrating a professional and ethical approach to practice and strategies for advocating excellence in nutrition and dietetics. This subject involves a three day non dietetic placement hereby known as a Diverse Enrichment Experience (DEE), in a health care environment. The DEE aims to expose students to the practice of other health professionals and to encourage the consideration of dietetics as part of the a holistic approach to care. Students are also required to attend a compulsory five day residential school during the subject.

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2021.

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Dentistry and Health Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Master of Dietetics students only

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to collect, analyse and assess nutrition and health data for individuals, groups and populations;
  • be able to undertake screening and assessment to identify and prioritise those at nutritional risk;
  • be able to determine nutritional status using assessment data;
  • be able to make appropriate nutrition diagnoses;
  • be able to propose appropriate client centred nutrition care plans for individuals;
  • be able to propose strategies to achieve management goals in collaboration with client or carer and other members of health care team;
  • be able to identify appropriate clientcentred counselling skills useful for facilitating nutrition and lifestyle changes and supporting clients to self manage;
  • be able to propose strategies for implementation of nutrition care plan in collaboration with client or carer and other members of health care team;
  • be able to propose strategies to monitor progress of the individual¿s condition and care and adapts plan as necessary;
  • be able to describe / identify the need for documentation in client notes and communication of all steps of the process;
  • be able to adopt a questioning and critical approach in all aspects of dietetic practice;
  • be able to apply evaluation findings into practice;
  • be able to begin to demonstrate a professional, and ethical approach advocating excellence in nutrition and dietetics;
  • be able to begin to work towards safe practice;
  • be able to demonstrate cultural awareness.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

- Nutrition care process - assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring & evaluation
- Drug-nutrient interactions
- Enteral feeding & re-feeding syndrome
- Dietary management of lifestyle-related conditions including:

  • energy imbalance and obesity
  • cardiovascular disease
  • diabetes mellitus
  • metabolic syndrome

- Dietary management of conditions requiring therapeutic dietary interventions including:

  • disorders of the gastro-intestinal tract
  • food allergies and intolerances
  • COPD
  • sports nutrition
  • hypermetabolic diseases (e.g., cancer, HIV infection and AIDS, metabolic stress, surgery)

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a Workplace Learning component. Please contact the subject coordinator for further information.

Residential School

This subject contains a 5 day Compulsory Residential School.

The residential school will include lectures and tutorials with current dietitians working in clinical practice. Specific tutorials working through case studies on paper and then opportunties for practising communication and counselling skills, particularly in relation to care/communication with the individual will be provided. Opportunities to participate in the CSU Nutrition Clinic under supervision of an Accredited Practising Dietitian will be provided.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

Back