Researchers surveyed 287 healthcare students studying nutrition and nursing at three universities to see how well they understood combining nutrition and lifestyle changes with traditional medical care. Most students showed strong knowledge (74%), positive attitudes (93%), and good practices (84%) about this integrated approach. However, the study found differences between schools and programs. Interestingly, while students who knew more about integrated healthcare had better attitudes toward it, this knowledge didn’t always translate into what they actually did in practice. The findings suggest that healthcare schools should design their teaching programs to help students not just learn about integrated healthcare, but actually use it when they become doctors and nurses.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether healthcare students understand and plan to use a combined approach that blends nutrition, lifestyle changes, and traditional medicine together
  • Who participated: 287 university students: 92 studying nutrition and 195 studying nursing from three different schools
  • Key finding: Most students (74-93%) showed good understanding and positive feelings about combining nutrition with regular medical care, but what they actually plan to do in practice doesn’t always match what they know
  • What it means for you: The future healthcare providers treating you may be better trained to consider your diet and lifestyle alongside medicines, though this depends on how well their schools teach this integrated approach. This is a positive sign for more complete healthcare, but schools need to do better at turning knowledge into real-world practice.

The Research Details

Researchers gave a detailed survey to healthcare students at three universities to measure three things: what they knew about combining nutrition with regular medicine, their attitudes toward this approach, and what they actually planned to do. The survey was based on a model called Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP), which is a common way to understand whether people’s beliefs match their actions. Students answered questions about their background (age, race, religion, major), and then rated statements about nutrition and integrated healthcare. The researchers then looked for patterns—did students from different schools answer differently? Did nutrition majors answer differently than nursing majors? Did older students have different views than younger ones?

This research approach is important because it doesn’t just ask ‘do students know about integrated healthcare?’ but also ‘do they actually believe in it?’ and ‘will they use it?’ These are three different things. A student might know the facts but not believe they’re important, or believe in them but not actually plan to use them in their future job. By measuring all three, researchers can see where the gaps are and help schools improve their teaching.

This study surveyed a decent-sized group of students (287 total) from multiple schools, which is good. The survey questions were based on a previously tested and validated questionnaire, meaning the questions have been proven to measure what they’re supposed to measure. The researchers used proper statistical tests to check if their findings were real or just due to chance. However, this is a snapshot in time—it shows what students think now, not whether they’ll actually practice this way after they graduate. Also, the study only looked at students from three schools, so results might be different in other places.

What the Results Show

The study found that most healthcare students had strong knowledge about combining nutrition with regular medicine (74% scored high), very positive attitudes about it (93% scored high), and said they planned to use it in practice (84% scored high). This is encouraging because it suggests the next generation of doctors and nurses will likely support this integrated approach. However, the researchers discovered important differences between groups. Students at different schools had different levels of knowledge—some schools are clearly teaching this better than others. Similarly, nutrition students and nursing students had different knowledge levels, with some variation based on what year of school they were in. The study also found that students’ knowledge and their attitudes were connected—students who knew more tended to have more positive feelings about integrated healthcare.

An interesting finding was that knowing more about integrated healthcare didn’t automatically mean students would actually use it in practice. In other words, knowledge and practice weren’t strongly connected. This suggests that schools need to do more than just teach facts; they need to help students develop the skills and confidence to actually apply what they learn. The study also found that personal factors like age, race, and religion affected how students answered, suggesting that diverse backgrounds bring different perspectives to healthcare.

This research fits with earlier studies showing that healthcare students generally support integrated approaches to medicine. However, the gap between what students know and what they plan to do matches findings from other research showing that knowledge alone doesn’t guarantee behavior change. The study adds to growing evidence that healthcare education needs to focus not just on teaching facts, but on helping students develop practical skills and confidence.

The study only looked at students at three schools, so results might be different at other universities. It’s also a snapshot—the survey was given at one point in time, so we don’t know if students’ views change as they progress through school or after they graduate. The study measured what students said they would do, not what they actually do in real practice. Additionally, the relationships found between knowledge, attitudes, and practice were relatively weak, meaning other factors not measured in this study probably also play important roles.

The Bottom Line

Healthcare schools should continue teaching integrated approaches that combine nutrition, lifestyle, and medicine, as students are receptive to this. Schools should also focus on helping students actually practice these approaches, not just learn about them. This might include more hands-on training, real-world examples, and practice with patients. (Confidence: Moderate—based on student surveys, not yet proven in actual patient care)

Healthcare students and their schools should care most about these findings. Patients should care because it suggests future healthcare providers may take a more complete approach to their health. People interested in nutrition and preventive health should also find this encouraging. This research is less relevant for people who prefer traditional medicine only or who don’t value nutrition in healthcare.

Changes would likely take several years to see in practice, as current students need to graduate and begin their careers. Schools that improve their teaching now might see better-prepared graduates in 2-4 years. Patients might notice differences in how doctors and nurses approach their care over the next 5-10 years as more trained providers enter the workforce.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track how often you discuss nutrition and lifestyle with your healthcare provider at each visit. Rate on a scale of 1-5 how much they consider your diet and exercise when recommending treatment. This helps you identify providers who practice integrated healthcare.
  • Use the app to set nutrition and lifestyle goals alongside any medical treatments your doctor recommends. For example, if prescribed medication for blood pressure, also set a goal to reduce salt intake and exercise 3 times weekly. Track both together to see how they work as a team.
  • Monthly, review whether your healthcare conversations include nutrition and lifestyle topics. Track which providers or appointments include these discussions. Over time, you’ll see patterns in who practices integrated healthcare and can choose providers accordingly.

This study surveyed what healthcare students currently think and plan to do, not what they actually do in practice. The findings suggest future healthcare providers may be better trained in integrated approaches, but this research doesn’t prove that this training improves patient outcomes. Always consult with your actual healthcare provider about your individual health needs. This research is informational and should not replace professional medical advice. The study was conducted at specific institutions and may not apply universally to all healthcare training programs.