HNE-32306 Clinical Nutrition Research

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English.

Assumed knowledge on:

HNE-25806 Research Methodology for Nutrition and Health I and HNE-26306 Research Methodology for Nutrition and Health II or HNE-24306 Methodology Nutrition Research.

Continuation courses:

Thesis or internship.

Contents:

The aim of this course is to increase the knowledge and insight of students into clinical nutrition and clinical research. The topics in this course are directly chosen in relation to the workfield of the clinical nutritionist. Important topics include: the specific demands and problems which occur in the design and the performance of studies in the clinical setting, the development of evidence-based treatments (treatment of patients which is supported by scientific evidence), the development of disease-specific nutrition and feeding, and advances in malnutrition, nutritional assessment, and other related topics. The working area of a clinical nutritionist might be the clinical industry or (academic) medical centers.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- understand the background and objectives of clinical nutrition;
- evaluate nutritional status by screening tools and clinical biochemical parameters;
- evaluate the determinants which affect nutritional assessment in the clinic and which may lead to undernutrition or malnutrition;
- understand the demands of disease specific feeding, including parenteral and enteral feeding;
- apply the phases that lead to evidence based guidelines;
- evaluate an evidence based guideline;
- evaluate the problems that occur in the design and performance of clinical studies;
- evaluate the design and performance of a clinical study;
- create a research proposal for a clinical study.

Activities:

- weekly contact with group supervisors;
- attending lectures;
- working on dietary guidelines;
- participating in working groups;
- writing a study protocol;
- giving presentations; including a poster presentation.

Examination:

This course does not have an exam. The assessment consists of:
- report of the protocol writing per group (50%);
- presentation and written critical comments on selected research papers per student (50%).
Each component needs a minimum mark of 5.5 to pass.

Literature:

A course reader will be available at WUR-shop Forum.
Book: Greenhalgh T. How to read a paper.