Development of a perceived nutrition care competencies scale for Japanese dietetic students: A cross-sectional survey

Background

There are currently few appropriate instruments for assessing nutrition care competencies in clinical practice. This study aimed to develop a perceived nutrition care competencies (PNCC) scale for dietetic students and test its validity. Factors that influence PNCC scores were examined through a cross-sectional study.

Methodology

This cross-sectional survey involved 501 dietetic students (mean age of 21.4 years, 428 females) and employed a web-based questionnaire between September 2022 and February 2023. A scale derived from previous research was used to assess nutrition management practices and basic dietetic competencies. Questionnaire data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis identified five factors: nutritional status assessment and preparation for intervention, communication skills for nutritional support, nutritional diagnosis and recording, supplementation suggestions and coordination and dietitian orientation and attitude. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that field practice increased the ‘nutrition diagnosis and recording’ scores, and the subconcepts ‘nutrition diagnosis and recording’ and ‘suggestion and coordination of nutritional supplementation’ showed odds ratios (ORs) <1 for the ‘online role-play among students’ experience. In addition, experience with face-to-face simulated patients increased the total scores (OR 2.46, 95% confidence interval 1.43–4.22, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The PNCC scale demonstrated reliability and validity, offering a valuable measure of dietetics students' perceptions of their nutrition care practice competence. The findings highlight the need to increase the willingness of the students to work as dietitians and to incorporate realistic, safe learning experiences beyond on-site practice to enhance nutrition management practice competency.