QU Human Nutrition students acquire advanced clinical skills

Qatar University (QU) continues to foster excellence in healthcare education through innovative interdisciplinary programmes.In a recent collaboration between the Human Nutrition Department (HND) within the College of Health Sciences and the Pre-Clinical Education Department in the College of Medicine, a significant milestone was achieved.This accomplishment highlights the capabilities of students enrolled in the Supervised Practice Programme (SPP), as they showcased exceptional proficiency in Nutrition-Focused Physical Examinations (NFPE).Under the guidance of Joyce Moawad, clinical co-ordinator in the HND, and Dr Maha Desouqi, head of Pre-Clinical Education in the College of Medicine, aspiring medical professionals participated in an evaluation centred on the mastery of conducting NFPE on standardised patients, marking an essential stride in augmenting clinical competencies among students. Since NFPE surpasses the conventional scope of practice for dietitians in Qatar, this achievement is particularly noteworthy.Continuing this path of comprehensive education, the same cohort of students engaged in immersive, hands-on training sessions. Collaborating with the Qatar Diabetes Association, students from the Human Nutrition programme delved into practical training sessions. Guided by diabetes educators and dietitians, students acquired skills in point-of-care blood glucose tests. Abdelrahman El-Gamal from the Department of Biomedical Sciences conducted an exclusive session focusing on blood pressure measurement.The subsequent assessments, wherein students demonstrated their acquired skills to colleagues, underscored their proficiency in these fundamental techniques.These crucial sessions, under the direction of Moawad, significantly advance supervised practice and are in perfect alignment with the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics’ (ACEND) established competencies.HND head Dr Maya Bassil, said: "Hands-on training and supervised practice are at the core of the BSc in Human Nutrition programme at QU and constitute the ultimate experience where students master the dietetics competencies as stipulated by ACEND. These newly introduced modules addressing NFPE and point-of-care assessments are integral components, providing our students with indispensable skills for successful healthcare practice.”