Doctors often don’t get enough training about nutrition in medical school, which means they may struggle to give patients good advice about eating healthy. Researchers tested whether an online nutrition course could help family medicine residents (doctors in training) improve their knowledge and confidence about nutrition counseling. The study found that residents who took the course felt much more prepared to talk to patients about food and diet. This research suggests that adding formal nutrition training to medical residency programs could help doctors give better health advice to their patients.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether teaching family medicine residents (doctors in training) about nutrition through an online course would improve their knowledge, confidence, and ability to help patients eat better
- Who participated: 13 family medicine residents at one Canadian medical training program took a survey before the course, and 6 of them answered questions after completing it
- Key finding: Residents who completed the nutrition course reported feeling more knowledgeable and confident about nutrition, and believed they could better help their patients with diet advice
- What it means for you: If doctors receive better nutrition training, they may be more likely to discuss healthy eating with you during appointments. However, this is a small study, so larger research is needed to confirm these results apply broadly
The Research Details
This was a before-and-after study, meaning researchers asked the same doctors questions before and after they took an online nutrition course. The residents were given time during their regular academic meetings to complete the course and fill out surveys. The researchers used an online survey tool to collect their answers and measured changes in what the doctors knew, how confident they felt, and their attitudes about nutrition counseling.
The study was approved by the University of Saskatchewan’s ethics board, which means it followed proper rules for protecting the doctors’ privacy and safety. The researchers used simple math to analyze the survey answers, looking at how many doctors gave each type of response.
This research matters because many doctors admit they don’t feel prepared to give nutrition advice, even though eating well is one of the most important things people can do for their health. By testing whether training helps, researchers can figure out if adding nutrition courses to medical training programs is worth doing. This could eventually lead to doctors being better equipped to help patients prevent and manage diseases through diet.
This study has some important limitations to understand: Only 13 doctors started the study, and only 6 finished answering questions afterward, which is a very small number. The study was at just one location in Canada, so results may not apply everywhere. Because the study is small and only includes one group of doctors, we can’t be completely sure the results would happen the same way with other groups of doctors or in other places.
What the Results Show
Before taking the course, 10 out of 13 residents (77%) said they felt they hadn’t received enough nutrition training in medical school. All 13 residents agreed that patients would benefit if doctors gave better nutrition counseling.
After completing the online nutrition course, all 6 residents who answered the follow-up survey said the course was helpful. They also said they thought this course should be offered to all family medicine residents in Canada, and most believed it should be required.
The residents reported improvements in three main areas: their knowledge about nutrition, their confidence in talking about nutrition with patients, and their belief that nutrition counseling is important. They also said they were more likely to actually discuss nutrition with their patients after taking the course.
The study found that residents recognized a gap in their training before the course and felt the online format worked well for their busy schedules. The fact that all post-course respondents thought the training should be mandatory suggests they found real value in the experience. The improvement in residents’ confidence is particularly important because doctors who feel confident are more likely to actually use what they learned when talking to patients.
This research supports what other studies have already shown: many doctors don’t feel prepared to give nutrition advice, and formal training can help. Previous research has shown that nutrition interventions (when doctors help patients eat better) can prevent and treat many diseases, but doctors often don’t provide this counseling. This study adds to that evidence by showing that training can improve doctors’ readiness to provide nutrition counseling.
The biggest limitation is the small number of participants—only 13 started and 6 finished. This makes it hard to know if the results would be the same with more doctors. The study only included residents from one medical training program in Canada, so we don’t know if results would be similar in other places or countries. Additionally, the study relied on doctors’ own reports about their knowledge and behavior, which may not always be completely accurate. The researchers didn’t measure whether patients actually received better nutrition counseling or had better health outcomes, only whether doctors felt more prepared.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, medical training programs should consider adding formal nutrition training to their residency programs. The evidence suggests this training improves doctors’ knowledge and confidence (moderate confidence level, given the small study size). Patients should feel encouraged to ask their doctors about nutrition and diet, especially if their doctor seems uncertain—this may prompt them to seek additional training.
Family medicine residents and their training programs should care most about this research. Patients with chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or obesity should care because better-trained doctors could help them more. Medical school administrators should care because it suggests a gap in current training. However, people in other medical specialties (like surgery or psychiatry) should wait for similar research in their fields before assuming the same training would help them.
If doctors receive nutrition training, they may start giving better nutrition advice to patients fairly quickly—possibly within weeks. However, seeing actual health improvements in patients (like weight loss or better blood sugar control) would take longer, typically several months to a year, depending on the patient’s specific situation and how well they follow the advice.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track how often you discuss nutrition with your doctor during appointments. Note the date, what was discussed, and any specific recommendations given. This helps you see if your doctor is providing more nutrition guidance over time.
- If your doctor mentions nutrition, ask follow-up questions like ‘What specific foods should I eat more or less of?’ or ‘Can you refer me to a nutritionist?’ This encourages doctors to engage more deeply in nutrition counseling and helps you get more detailed guidance.
- Keep a simple log of nutrition-related conversations with your healthcare team over 3-6 months. Note improvements in your diet knowledge, any dietary changes you make, and health markers (like weight, energy levels, or blood sugar if applicable). Share this with your doctor to reinforce the importance of nutrition counseling.
This research is a small preliminary study and should not be used to make medical decisions. The findings suggest potential benefits of nutrition training for doctors but are not definitive proof. Always consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice. This study does not replace professional medical or nutritional guidance. If you have specific health concerns or dietary questions, speak with your doctor or a qualified nutrition specialist.