BSc Dietetics

Key information: the curriculum, practice placements and the assessment process.

"A dietitian uses the science of nutrition to devise eating plans for patients to treat medical conditions. They also work to promote good health by helping to facilitate a positive change in food choice amongst individuals, groups and communities."

DIETITIAN HCPC definition - Currently there are 8,598 (01/07/15)registered Dietitians in the UK.

Context

  • 14 higher education institutions provide dietetic training, mostly taught as BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Combination of post and undergraduate
  • Undergraduate 3-4 years
  • Postgraduate 1-2 years
  • University of Plymouth is one of two university’s that provide a 3 year degree course in Dietetics

Introduction - The current programme started in 2004:

  • It is a 3 year undergraduate programme leading to an Honours degree and eligibility to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC).
  • Problem based learning underpins the learning philosophy of the programme
  • We aim to produce dietitians who are fit for practice and who are lifelong learners.

Curriculum overview – Programme Developments Revalidation- 2013

Year1: programme

  • DIET110 Nutritional Epidemiology – 10 credits.
  • DIET112 Psychosocial issues in Health Care -10 credits.
  • DIET113 Health Sciences: Physiology - 20 credits.
  • DIET106 Nutritional biochemistry - 20 credits.
  • DIET114 Human Nutrition and Food Studies - 30 credits.
  • SOHP101 Preparation for Practice - 20 credits.
  • DIET115 Clinical Dietetic Placement A (3 weeks) Pass/Fail

Year 2: programme

  • DIET 216 Pharmacology -10 credits
  • DIET 215 Pathophysiology - 20 credits.
  • DIET220 Nutritional Immunology – 10 credits
  • DIET218 Dietetics 1 - 20 credits
  • DIET219 Dietetics in Practice 1 - 20 credits.
  • DIET211 Diet, metabolism and Health – 20 credits.
  • DIET217 Applied Epidemiology/Public Health Nutrition - 20 credits
  • DIET213 Clinical Dietetic Placement B Pass/Fail

Year 3: old programme

  • SOHP302 Preparation for Professional Practice– 20 credits
  • DIET319 Public Health Nutrition - 10 credits.
  • DIET308 Dietetics in Practice 2 - 20 credits.
  • DIET318 Dietetics 2 – 20 credits
  • DIET317 Project Studies 1 – 20 credits
  • DIET311 Project Studies 2 - 30 credits
  • DIET316 Clinical Dietetic Placement C Pass/Fail

Additional module information available on:

Module information is also available from the University of Plymouth website

Assessment Methods for Campus Learning

  • Written exams.
  • Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE’s) in year 2 and 3.
  • Course work – includes summative portfolio and reflective work (year 2) group presentation and case materials e.g. for public health intervention (year 3).
  • Project work - includes research protocol submission and later journal article (year 3).
  • Balance of coursework vs exams – 50:50 in year 1; 65:35 in years 2 & 3

Practice Placements - Challenges in Placement Development Most dietetic departments in south west region are acute trust based (17 out of 18 departments).

Small profession – thus small numbers in a trust – approximately 205 WTE dietitians employed by NHS in south west.

Small number of key stakeholders heading up local departments.

Placements

There are 3 placements in total:

  • Year 1 - 3 week placement
  • Year 2 - 12 week placement
  • Year 3 - 12 week placement

Students have to complete 1000 hours of assessed practice placements. Each placement has to be passed.

Placement developments

Each Dietetic Placement has a dietetic lecturer linked to the Trust to provide profession specific support and training to learners in practice and to the placement educators in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Avon, Wiltshire, Gloucester and Dorset.

Y/M / Sep / Oct / Nov / Dec / Jan / Feb / Mar / Apr / May / Jun / Jul / Aug
1 / College / H / College / H / A Placement
2 / College / H / College / H / B Placement
3 / College / H / C Placement / H / College

Aims of Placements

Placement A (level 1)

To be introduced to the work of a dietitian by observing working practices and undertaking practical exercises.

Placement B (level 2)

To begin to apply theoretical knowledge and develop the range of skills needed to work as a dietitian with specified clients/care groups and in a range of work settings.

Placement C (level 3)

To become competent in translating theory into practice and demonstrate the range of skills needed to work as a newly qualified dietitian.

Placement support

A range of support is available for dietetic students and educators:

  • PDTs in some Trusts
  • Dietetic Academic staff linked to all Trusts
  • Colleagues/ peers
  • Mentors on placement
  • Student tutors

We want to help wherever we can - PLEASE contact us!

Programme support arrangements

A dietetic lecturer is allocated a number of Trusts and provides support to all dietetic students allocated within these Trusts. The dietetic lecturer is familiar with the needs of the department (s) and the staff within the dietetic departments in these Trusts as a result of regular contact and on-going support and training that they provide to these Trusts.

They will make early contact and discuss arrangements for any programme support:

  • Mid placement visits if required
  • Mid placement phone call to all students
  • Any other support that may be identified

The programme link may contact staff before the placement starts, especially if there are any arrangements they need to discuss. Occasionally, students may find it useful to visit the placement before they start, and the programme link will facilitate this process and discuss any support needs, in collaboration with the student and any other agencies.

Facilitating student learning

Pre placement workshops and practical’s explaining the NHS, context of work and learning outcomes to be achieved whilst on placement.

Students will have completed a pre placement review form before starting placement.

This should form the basis of a negotiated learning contract for the start of the placement.

This will be revisited at weekly feedback sessions and new objectives set for the following week.

Assessment strategy

  • Formative assessment at halfway on B and C placement
  • Summative assessment during final week of the placement.
  • No grade – pass or fail at all 3 levels

Assessment A placement:

Students complete a workbook on placement A this contributes to the learning outcomes for this placement

Weekly reviews occur with a final review form being completed at the end of placement. This is returned to the university a copy of this is retained by the student to go in their portfolio.

Assessment B and C placements

Full learning outcomes are listed in student portfolios and Placement Handbook

Assessment for B and C is structured around key areas of practice these are:

  • Nutrition and Dietetic Care Process
  • Communication
  • Reflection
  • Professionalism

Although the same core learning outcomes are assessed in B and C placements the performance indicators for these differ reflecting the increased complexity and skill development required when moving from a B to a C placement

Evidence towards achieving competence in the specified learning outcomes is collected and action plans set with students to help move practice forward. Weekly reviews ensure progress is being made, action plans are being achieved and competence in the specified learning outcomes is achieved.

Students’ Placement Portfolio

  • Comprehensive record of learning and achievements through 3 years.
  • Central to assessment of practice.
  • Evidence is collected weekly and required in supervision.
  • Includes instructions for learning contracts and examples to help students.
  • Includes weekly reflective supervision records and competency based learning contracts.
  • Contains assessment of practice guidelines and documentation.
  • Outlines profile of competencies at each level.
  • Allows areas needing further development to be clearly identified and acted upon.

Feedback

  • Wording and assessment must match
  • Ensure developmental feedback is included
  • Use appropriate examples

Learning Contract

  • Tool to develop goals unique to the student’s ability and the given setting.
  • Provides a framework for negotiating and encouraging shared commitment.
  • Includes weekly review and goal setting.
  • Identifies what and how to demonstrate achievement, how it will be assessed, and within what timescale.

Students’ responsibilities in the supervision process

Required to:

  • Be proactive in supervision.
  • Prepare in advance for supervision.
  • Complete the reflective log in portfolio.
  • Follow up issues from last session, identify any areas of concern, reflect on successes, identify areas of improvement and suggest new goals.

Practice Educators’ responsibilities

Required to:

  • Know the competencies that the student is expected to achieve during the placement (these are specific to each level of placement).
  • Provide graded learning opportunities.
  • Observe the student in action and obtain testimonies from others.
  • Exercise professional judgement in relation to the assessment competency statements.
  • Formally supervise the students in developing clinical competencies in the practice area, and relate this each week to the student’s learning contract.
  • Provide regular, clear feedback of the student’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Sign off the student’s reflective diary and learning contract as evidence of their progress.

If issues arise…

  • Use of warnings
  • Safety
  • professional issues
  • Discuss and document immediately
  • Contact your Programme Link to discuss

Managing poor performance

  • Seek EARLY support- Dietetic placement team/Dietetic link lecturer/PDT

Student/Clinical Educator require support

Contact Dietetic link lecture (Trusts in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset PDT may also contact PDT’s for general support):

  • Document everything - evidence
  • Set short-term objectives
  • Arrange clear and regular two way feedback

We are here to support you in your role as clinical educator. If you are concerned about how a student is performing, contact your dietetic link lecturer (contact details in list below) or placement co-ordinator, PDT’s may also be contacted for support in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

Key Contacts

Dietetic Placement Co-ordinator:

01752 588827

PAHC Administration:

Tel: 01752 588800

Dr Tracey Parkin - United Bristol Health Care Trust (UBHT), North Bristol (Southmead), North Devon NHS Trust (Barnstable), South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (Torbay), Weston Area Health Authority (Weston Super-mare), Kennet & North Wiltshire (Bath), Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust, Poole Hospital NHS Trust, West Dorset General Hospital (Dorchester): 01752 588827

Sophie Medlin - RD&E NHS Foundation Trust (Exeter), Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, South Wiltshire PCT (Salisbury), Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust, Swindon & Marlborough NHS Trust, Somerset Primary Care Trust, Yeovil Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust:01752 588826

Dr Avril Collinson - Taunton & Somerset NHS Trust:01752588848