Think Your Doctor Knows Nutrition?

Does your doctor have a good knowledge of nutrition? Probably not! . . .

Researchers sent a survey to all 127 accredited medical schools in the United States. It asked the schools how many contact hours were required of their medical students in nutrition.

Of the 105 schools that answered the survey, only 26 (25%) of them had a required course that was specifically dedicated to nutrition. Overall, the researchers found that medical students received 19.6 contact hours of nutrition instruction throughout medical school. The National Academy of Sciences sets a minimum requirement of 25 contact hours in nutrition: only 28 (27%) of U.S. medical schools met that requirement.

The researchers concluded that “The amount of nutrition education that medical students receive continues to be inadequate.”

Acad Med 2010;85:1537-42

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For more on healthy eating and nutrition, see Linda’s newest book, The All-New Vegetarian Passport: a comprehensive health book and cookbook all in one.