Supporting Dietetic Training Programs to Meet Competencies in

Population/Public Health

Lynda Corby MSc, MEd, RD, FDCProject Consultant

Nancy Mucklow MA, BEd Curriculum and Instructional Design Consultant

Canadian Public Health Association ConferenceMay 27, 2014

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This presentation will:✔ Outline the rationale and process for the

development of online learning modules to support dietetic students and practitioners to meet entry level competencies in population/public health nutrition

✔ Share samples of the draft online tools under development

✔ Outline next steps in launching the online learning tools

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Background• Enhancement of competency

statements focusing on entry-level practice supported by Performance Indicators (2009-2012)

• New Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (ICDEP) set as the standard for education & training for dietitians, practice registration & accreditation

• Gap analysis of academic & practicum programs across Canada revealed that not all programs would be able to meet the new ICDEPs www.pdep.ca

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Background …• With funding from the PHAC,

Dietitians of Canada undertook the development of bilingual, nationally accessible and validated web-based tools and resources that would support the attainment of population/public health nutrition competencies, focused on conducting a community needs assessment & prioritizing needs.

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Methods• An online survey of educators

and practitioners to assess resource needs and preferences – over 90% of academic/internship programs and just under 100 community-based practitioners/preceptors provided feedback

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Telephone interviews with key informants from 17 other health professional organization, agencies and groups to gather information on best practices and success factors for supporting the development of professional competencies

Methods…

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Methods …

• An environmental scan of existing online tools and best practices in development of e-learning resources

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Methods …• National Advisory

Committee established provided overall guidance to the project

• Draft materials prepared by Curriculum/Instructional Design Consultant

• Reviewer Reference Groups provided feedback on draft learning tools

• Revision of draft modules; development support materials

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Six-Module Online Learning Course

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Interactive Self-Pacing, Case-Based Scenario Replicating a Real-Life Situation

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Interactive features

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Focus on Problem-Solving

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Final test – Certificate of Completion

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Next Steps• Show-case the online learning tools

with educators, practitioners & students at the CPHA & the DC National Conference

• Develop a Community of Practice web-site for ongoing support and sharing of resources and experiences in implementing the ICDEP

• Adapt resources for French language• Launch materials and promote them

to learners and educators - late fall• Collection and synthesis of ongoing

evaluation/feedback of the modules

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Questions?

Contact for Further Information

Lynda Corby – Project Consultant

lynda.corby@shaw.ca

The Public Health Agency of Canada is gratefully acknowledged for

funding support of this initiative. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the

views of the Public Health agency of Canada.