The public health nutrition intervention management bi-cycle: a model for training and practice improvement

Abstract

Objective: The present paper describes a model for public health nutrition practice designed to facilitate practice improvement and provide a step-wise approach to assist with workforce development. Design: The bi-cycle model for public health nutrition practice has been developed based on existing cyclical models for intervention management but modified to integrate discrete capacity-building practices. Setting: Education and practice settings. Subjects: This model will have applications for educators and practitioners. Results: Modifications to existing models have been informed by the authors' observations and experiences as practitioners and educators, and reflect a conceptual framework with applications in workforce development and practice improvement. From a workforce development and educational perspective, the model is designed to reflect adult learning principles, exposing students to experiential, problem-solving and practical learning experiences that reflect the realities of work as a public health nutritionist. In doing so, it assists the development of competency beyond knowing to knowing how, showing how and doing. This progression of learning from knowledge to performance is critical to effective competency development for effective practice. Conclusions: Public health nutrition practice is dynamic and varied, and models need to be adaptable and applicable to practice context to have utility. The paper serves to stimulate debate in the public health nutrition community, to encourage critical feedback about the validity, applicability and utility of this model in different practice contexts.

Evaluation of a curriculum initiative designed to enhance the research training of dietetics graduates

“…The results from this student sample suggest that research, evaluation and broader professional competency development is enriched by learning and teaching interventions that expose students to the complete research and evaluation practice cycle, with a summative assessment focus based on preparation of a journal manuscript. This reinforces arguments from public health nutrition educators about the merits of experiential learning using action research models …”

Sharing the tracks to good tucker: identifying the benefits and challenges of implementing community food programs for Aboriginal communities in Victoria

“…Numerous programs identified opportunities for sustainability, such as linking community kitchens with community gardens. Adequate workforce capacity is an essential element for the success of public health nutrition initiatives (Hughes and Margetts 2012). The present study demonstrated the need to consider workforce capacity when planning CFPs.…”

Saúde coletiva nos cursos de Nutrição: análise de projetos político-pedagógicos e planos de ensino

“…Desse modo, conforme apontado pelas análises dos planos de ensino das disciplinas na área de nutrição em saúde coletiva, a descrição dos cursos de Nutrição, de acordo com seus projetos político-pedagógicos, apresenta, quase em sua maioria, a mesma forma para tratar de alguns poucos conteúdos que se diferenciam. Países como a Austrá-lia, Canadá, Suécia, dentre outros, têm tentado minimizar esses desafios nos seus planos pedagógicos 5,[18][19][20] Outro resultado apresentado neste estudo foi a pequena relação encontrada entre as três categorias (competências esperadas, ações realizadas no cuidado nutricional e operacionalização do curso). É possível sugerir que os conteúdos dos projetos político-pedagógicos estão diferenciados pelo quanto estão assimilados aos conteúdos da primeira classe (tratamento) e da segunda classe (prevenção e promoção).…”