Clinical Nutrition – evidence-based practice from edX

The preventive aspect and importance of nutrition are well-known for both deficiency and chronic diseases. The importance of nutrition on global health is demonstrated in the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 as set by the United Nations General Assembly, as nutrition is considered a cornerstone for 12 out of 17 of these goals. Nutrition has a positive effect on health as well as on economic growth.

Clinical nutrition described as the basic interdisciplinary and applied science that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and management of nutritional and metabolic changes related to acute and chronic diseases for both patients in healthcare institutions or those who receive care periodically as outpatients, is an old concept but the importance is hardly recognized.

Aiming to emphasize the importance of clinical nutrition, this course equips you with evidence-based insights and practical know-how on nutrition-related solutions. By providing you with this information, the course broadens your conceptual knowledge towards the context & background-independent application of nutrition-related issues due to chronic and infectious disorders.

Our evidence-based practice approach will allow you as a decision-maker to identify the relevant evidence for practice while taking into account the sociocultural background and wishes of a patient. This evidence-based practice approach will eliminate the ‘trial & error’ approach in favor of better health outcomes and originates from North and South countries.

This course is taught by instructors with decades of experience in clinical nutrition, dietetics, endocrinology, and gastroenterology. The instructors are teachers/lecturers and researchers in these fields at universities in Europe (KU Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism) and in Africa (Stellenbosh University, Division of Human Nutrition; University of Ghana, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; University of Rwanda, School of Public Health, and University of Zimbabwe, Institute of Food and Nutrition) which is the uniqueness of this course.

By being able to apply the evidence-based practice of clinical nutrition in different situations you will be able to function as a linking pin between research and practice with experience from North & South countries. Such profiles align strongly with the future outlook of nutrition-related needs as reported by organizations like the World Food Programme, World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, and International Committee of the Red Cross.

This MOOC was created with the support of the KU Leuven Faculty of Medicine

What's inside

Learning objectives

Acquire basic knowledge of clinical nutrition:
The treatment of obesity.
The treatment of diabetes
The treatment of malnutrition
The treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
The treatment of infectious diseases, more specifically hiv

Translate scientific evidence into practice.
Acquire practical experience from both north & south countries
Use nutrition as a treatment strategy.
Apply nutrition strategies in treating specific disorders.
Decontextualize concepts over different contexts.

Acquire basic knowledge of clinical nutrition:
The treatment of obesity.
The treatment of diabetes
The treatment of malnutrition
The treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
The treatment of infectious diseases, more specifically hiv
Translate scientific evidence into practice.
Acquire practical experience from both north & south countries
Use nutrition as a treatment strategy.
Apply nutrition strategies in treating specific disorders.
Decontextualize concepts over different contexts.

Syllabus

Week 0: Getting the feel for it Welcome and how to use a MOOC, gain familiarity with course setup, its workload, our and yours expectations, the presentation of the course team, and some guidelines and honor codes.

Week 1: IntroductionIntroduction to the scientific approach of clinical nutrition and its basic concepts, followed by an introduction to the quest for the development of practical guidelines.

Week 2: ObesityThe basic concepts of obesity, its consequences, management, and how obesity is treated from different geographical and socio-cultural backgrounds.

Week 3: Diabetes The basic concepts of diabetes, its consequences, management, and how to treat diabetes from different geographical and socio-cultural backgrounds.

Week 4: Malnutrition and specific pathology The basic concepts of malnutrition, and what clinical nutrition there exists to address malnutrition

Week 5: Gastrointestinal diseases Food allergies, intolerances and the role of nutrition in functional gastrointestinal disorders and gluten-related pathologies.

Week 6: Infections and nutritional requirements The role and impact of HIV on nutritional needs and how to treat infections from a nutritional point of view.

Week 7: Integrated evaluation Case studies are proposed with a combination of different pathologies in different settings.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a comprehensive study of clinical nutrition

Taught by instructors with decades of experience in clinical nutrition

Offers a unique perspective on clinical nutrition from both North and South countries

Provides practical experience in using nutrition as a treatment strategy

Covers a wide range of topics, including obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases

Requires students to come in with extensive background knowledge in nutrition and clinical practice

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Clinical Nutrition – evidence-based practice with these activities:

Discuss nutrition-related topics with other students

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Discussing nutrition-related topics with other students will help you to learn from others and to solidify your understanding of the material.

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Join a study group or online forum.
Participate in discussions on topics related to clinical nutrition.
Share your knowledge and experiences with other students.

Create a study guide for the course

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Creating a study guide for the course will help you to organize your notes and to identify the key concepts that you need to know.

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Review your notes from the lectures and readings.
Identify the key concepts that you need to know.
Create a study guide that includes the key concepts, definitions, and examples.

Calculate nutritional requirements for different patient populations

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Calculating nutritional requirements for different patient populations will help you to develop the skills necessary to provide individualized nutrition care.

Browse courses on Nutritional Requirements

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Use the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) to calculate the nutritional requirements for different patient populations.
Take into account the patient's age, sex, weight, height, and activity level.
Make adjustments for any medical conditions or dietary restrictions.

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Develop a nutrition care plan for a patient with a specific medical condition

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Developing a nutrition care plan for a patient with a specific medical condition will help you to apply the principles of clinical nutrition to real-world practice.

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Assess the patient's nutritional status.
Identify the patient's nutritional needs.
Develop a nutrition care plan that meets the patient's needs.
Monitor the patient's progress and make adjustments to the nutrition care plan as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete Clinical Nutrition – evidence-based practice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Registered Dietitian

A Registered Dietitian’s role is to counsel individuals on food, nutrition, and diet and help them understand the relationship between what they eat and their health. This course provides an introduction to clinical nutrition and its basic concepts, including the treatment of obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases. This knowledge can help Registered Dietitians better understand the nutritional needs of their clients and provide them with evidence-based advice.

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Health Educator

A Health Educator develops, implements, and evaluates health education programs. Part of this is teaching people about nutrition and its importance in overall health. This course can provide Health Educators with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively educate people about clinical nutrition, including the treatment of obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases.

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Nutritionist

Nutritionists often work with people who have chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease. They use their knowledge to help people make healthy eating choices and manage their weight. This course can help Nutritionists expand their knowledge of clinical nutrition and learn about the latest evidence-based treatments for these conditions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nutritionist

Clinical Research Coordinator

A Clinical Research Coordinator's role is to manage all aspects of a clinical trial, including developing and implementing the study protocol, recruiting and enrolling participants, collecting and managing data, and ensuring that the study is conducted in accordance with ethical and regulatory guidelines. This course can help Clinical Research Coordinators better understand the clinical aspects of nutrition, such as the treatment of obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases, allowing them to more effectively manage clinical trials in these areas.

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Public Health Nutritionist

Public Health Nutritionists work to improve the nutritional health of populations. They develop and implement programs to promote healthy eating and prevent chronic diseases. This course can help Public Health Nutritionists gain a deeper understanding of the clinical aspects of nutrition, such as the treatment of obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases, allowing them to develop more effective public health programs.

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Food Scientist

Food Scientists develop and improve food products. They work to ensure that food is safe, nutritious, and appealing to consumers. This course can help Food Scientists understand the nutritional aspects of food products and how to develop products that meet the specific needs of different populations, such as those with obesity, diabetes, or malnutrition.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants provide medical care under the supervision of a physician. They perform a variety of tasks, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and providing patient education. This course can help Physician Assistants expand their knowledge of clinical nutrition and learn about the latest evidence-based treatments for obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases, allowing them to provide more comprehensive care to their patients.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. They perform a variety of tasks, including administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and providing patient education. This course can help Nurses expand their knowledge of clinical nutrition and learn about the latest evidence-based treatments for obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases, allowing them to provide more comprehensive care to their patients.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide patient education on how to use them safely and effectively. They also work with physicians to develop and manage medication plans. This course can help Pharmacists understand the nutritional aspects of medications and how to counsel patients on how to take their medications with food or avoid certain foods while taking certain medications.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with social, emotional, and financial problems. They work with individuals, families, and groups to provide support and resources. This course can help Social Workers understand the nutritional needs of their clients and how to connect them with resources to improve their nutritional health.

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Case Manager

Case Managers work with individuals who have complex medical and social needs. They help their clients navigate the healthcare system and access the resources they need. This course can help Case Managers understand the nutritional needs of their clients and how to connect them with resources to improve their nutritional health.

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Dietetic Technician

Dietetic Technicians work under the supervision of Registered Dietitians to provide nutrition counseling and education to patients. This course can help Dietetic Technicians expand their knowledge of clinical nutrition and learn about the latest evidence-based treatments for obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases, allowing them to provide more comprehensive care to their patients.

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Food Service Manager

Food Service Managers plan, organize, and direct the operations of food service establishments. They ensure that food is prepared and served safely and efficiently. This course can help Food Service Managers understand the nutritional needs of their customers and how to develop menus that meet those needs.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts research, analyze, and develop health policy. They work with policymakers to create and implement laws and regulations that improve the health of the population. This course can help Health Policy Analysts understand the nutritional needs of the population and how to develop policies that improve access to healthy food and nutrition education.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers write and edit medical and scientific content for a variety of audiences, including patients, healthcare professionals, and researchers. This course can help Medical Writers understand the clinical aspects of nutrition, such as the treatment of obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases, allowing them to write more accurate and informative content on these topics.

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Clinical Nutrition – evidence-based practice

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