module specification

This module provides an opportunity for learners to further develop their understanding and practice of the dietary management of disease. It also enables learners to develop their skills in undertaking one to one consultations, through development of their communication skills and application of the Nutrition and Dietetic Care Process. This module forms an essential part of practice-based learning preparation and provides an opportunity for learners to illustrate their understanding of the requirements by the Health and Care Professions Council, including the expectations of professional behaviour and demonstrate an ability to practise within the ethical and legal boundaries of the dietetic profession. Learners must pass this module before progressing to practice based learning 2 (dietitians).

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. More specifically the module aims to develop key knowledge, skills and professional attributes required to implement the Nutrition and Dietetic Care Process for individuals with a range of clinical conditions.

This module aims to provide learners with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts; and, the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

DT5W51 Practice based learning 1 (Dietitians)
DT5002 Clinical Dietetics 1

The specified learning outcomes will be developed around a framework based on the following subject matter (1, 3, 4):
1. The dietetic management of the following clinical disorders:
1.1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
1.2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
1.3. Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
1.4. Liver Disease
1.5. Renal Disease
1.6. Disorders related to mental health
1.7. Cancer
1.8. HIV/AIDS
1.9. Cystic Fibrosis
2. Development of communication skills and consultation practise (1, 2, 3, 4):
2.1. Framework for setting up an interview and eliciting information from a service user.
2.2. Active listening skills and attending behaviour, motivational interviewing, interpersonal skills and cognitive behaviour therapy approaches to facilitate change.
2.3. Self-refection of performance and impact.
2.4. Different methods and styles of communication required for interacting in a variety of situations and settings. This includes the use of e-health (tele-health, tele-care and assistive technologies) including the use of communications technology.
2.5. The dietetic consultation processes.
2.6. Practice based learning preparation.
2.7. Current professional standards and code of conduct documents.
2.8. Model and Process for Nutrition and Dietetic Practice.
2.9. Ensuring the use of the model of every contact counts.
3. Development of key applied clinical skills and dietetic practise; using simulated practice, problem-based learning, lecture, tutorial and directed learning (1, 2, 3, 4):
3.1. Interactive case study learning using ward, kitchen and clinic-based activities encompassing disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and cancer.
3.2. Facilitating learning and promoting self-care, including the theories of behaviour change and behaviour modification for individuals.
3.3. Developing skills in dietary and nutritional assessment including sources of nutrients, food portion sizes, the diet of the UK population.
3.4. Use of food tables and dietary analysis software will be further developed.
3.5. The influences of food choice and eating behaviours of individuals and groups such as but not exclusively demography, religion, the wider determinants of health and health behaviours.
3.6. The rationale for the modification of energy and nutrient intake.
3.7. Use of current nutrient exchange systems as applied to the conditions within the syllabus.
3.8. Methods of fortifying and modifying foods and diet as applied to the conditions within the syllabus.
3.9. The development of sustainable therapeutic diets including recipes and the use of special dietary products applied to conditions within the syllabus.
3.10. The psychological background to health behaviours including theories of human behaviour, behaviour change, behaviour modification.
3.11. The principles of person-centered care as applied to dietetic practice for the conditions covered within the syllabus. Includes advocacy, trust, consent, the right of service users to make decisions, accountability, and demonstration of core NHS values.
3.12. Broad knowledge and understanding of psychology in relation to the conditions covered within the syllabus. Includes professional and client relationships and the psychological implications of long-term health conditions.
3.13. The psychological aspects of disordered eating.
3.14. Safe and effective dietetic practise understanding scope of practice, including an awareness of their limitations and when it is appropriate to seek advice or refer to another professional
3.15. Workload management and effective use of resources
3.16. Duty of care and upholding high quality care; including challenging situations and at times of personal incompatibility
3.17. Confidentiality, information governance, appropriate information sharing within professional legal and ethical boundaries
3.18. Informed consent
3.19. The legal and ethical implications of dietetic and clinical care including the withdrawal of feeding
3.20. Fitness to practice including maintenance of high standards of personal and professional conduct and one’s own health. Ensuring currency of knowledge.
3.21. Assessment skills to inform clinical and professional judgements
3.22. Problem solving, clinical reasoning, decision making
3.23. Safe working practices, including the selection of appropriate hazard control and risk management, reduction.
3.24. Selection and correct use of personal protective equipment.

The syllabus will be developed through lectures, tutorials, case studies and laboratory work. A significant amount of material will be made available through the University VLE including process models and learning materials
Learners will be guided in their learning using a combination of private study interactive lectures, practical’s using case studies & small group tutorials, seminars and tutorials using dietary analysis software. Realistic problems/case studies will be provided and worked through in small groups and practical classes. Learners will be guided in their independent learning through directed reading, use of the VLE and appropriate web-based resources.

On completing this module learners will be able to:
1. Critically assess information required to competently assess individuals with a range of clinical conditions and demonstrate an ability to critically review and evaluate information underpinning the dietary management of disease.
2. Collect and critically reflect on relevant clinical and dietary information whilst demonstrating an ability to communicate action plans and monitoring strategies effectively.
3. Formulate appropriate nutrition and dietetic diagnoses with justification and be able to develop and evaluate suitable dietetic management outcomes and interventions for reviewing and monitoring dietetic care.
4. Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition, and creativity and be identified as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible through the presentation of the model and process for nutrition and dietetic practice.
5. Illustrate understanding of the requirements by the Health and Care Professions Council and demonstrate an ability to practise within the ethical and legal boundaries of the dietetic profession.

Assessment will comprise:
1. A series of four formative tasks will provide formative feedback and an average summative grade of the tasks submitted, the tasks will consist of an outpatient consultation (20 minutes), a reflection on practitioner training (500 words), enteral feeding plan (500 words), and a cancer practical reflective account (500 words).
2. An observed, structured clinical examination (OSCE) (80 minutes – this is the time of the simulated examination; learners will also reflect on the experience and submit the extract for marking).
3. Attendance & contribution (minimum of 80% attendance and contribution to simulated learning activities – practicals based in the kitchen, ward, and clinic area), Pass/Fail.

Reassessment information – students will be expected to submit reworks of the original submission.

The criteria for assessment will include the following:
• The ability to plan, justify communicate and evaluate appropriate dietary assessments, diagnosis and treatment plans in relation to disease presentation and pathology, lifestyle and the wider determinants of behaviour and health.
• The translation of these into practical meal and dietetic treatment plans.
• Demonstrate in the design and evaluation of treatment plans, understanding of the requirements by the Health and Care Professions Council. This will include demonstration of the understanding of the expectations of professional behaviour and the ability to practice within the ethical and legal boundaries of the dietetic profession.

Learners must obtain at least 40% to pass this module. In addition, learners must normally obtain at least 35% in each component of assessment within this module. A mark of between 35% and 39% may be compensated by other components. If the module is passed on reassessment, then the maximum mark awarded will be 40%.

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