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Use of Simulation in Dietetic Internship Programs: A Qualitative Exploration of Program Director Attitudes and Motivations

Authors :
Theresa B. O'Reilly
Source :
ProQuest LLC. 2024Ed.D. Dissertation, D'Youville College.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

The use of simulation holds promise for the future of dietetics education in its ability to replace up to 30% of the 1,000 required supervised practice hours for the training of future Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Even more so, simulation is a teaching tool. When done well, such alternate learning experiences can challenge students in a safe environment where they can receive constructive feedback from expert guides and meaningfully reflect on their learning. This practice can thus potentially rocket the student to higher levels of performance when they do enter the real clinical settings. Yet, while much literature exists in other health professions on the use of simulation in health education curricula, very little information is available in the field of dietetics. This is a critical gap in the knowledge base of dietetics as maximizing the use of simulation can benefit the quality and training of dietetics students as well as provide relief to an already saturated market: student site placements and preceptors. The goal of this study was to explore the attitudes and motivations of dietetic internship directors on the use of simulation in their programs, targeting the heavily program-congested states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Participating directors were interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. Results suggested that while real-life experiential learning is considered the "'gold-standard'" by most, program directors would consider using more simulation in their programs if it could benefit their interns. As all directors voiced ACEND and NDEP as their major source of information on using simulation, more resources should be made available to dietetics educators on best-practices in using simulation. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Details

Language :
English
ISBN :
979-83-8195-265-0
ISBNs :
979-83-8195-265-0
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
ProQuest LLC
Publication Type :
Dissertation/ Thesis
Accession number :
ED649268
Document Type :
Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations