International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 8, Issue 2, pp: (14-21), Month: October 2020 - March 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases: The Need for Nutrition Education among Physicians Daniel Hwang Cypress High School
Abstract: The lack of nutrition education for physicians and medical students is a topic of interest that could potentially help decrease the rates of cardiovascular disease in the United States and around the world. The inadequacy of nutritional information provided to patients by doctors has been closely linked to risks for cardiovascular diseases. This literature review paper will present the current research reflecting the demand for nutritional training among physicians in the United States while highlighting the lack of interest among doctors in countries such as Saudi Arabia. The efforts of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promoting nutrition advocacy in medical settings has been found to be critical in combining the efforts of nutritionists and doctors to work together in medical settings. The Coaching On Achieving Cardiovascular Health (COACH) is also discussed as an important tool for lifestyle recommendations combined with important medical information to improve patient health. In essence, the research shows that there is a need for doctors to act as storytellers encouraging patients to think holistically about health, which includes diet recommendations to patients. Furthermore, greater efforts to implement nutrition training among medical doctors in countries where nutrition is often overlooked must be considered in order to reduce the rates of cardiovascular disease. Keywords: Nutrition education deficiency, cardiovascular diseases, nutritionally trained doctors, registered dietitian nutritionist, COACH program, evidence-based health food and supplements, nutrition intervention, community health teams.
I. INTRODUCTION Westernization and globalization have increased the consumption of junk food causing increased rates in cardiovascular diseases. According to a 2013 study, ―Globally, death rates from cardiovascular disease are increasing, rising 41% between 1990 and 2013, and are often attributed, at least in part, to poor diet quality.‖ (Aggarwal, 2018). In order to prevent cardiovascular diseases, eating healthy is key, however, the current data revealed that knowledge of nutrition among cardiovascular disease providers worldwide is largely lacking. There is also evidence that the less a doctor spends time counseling their patients the more an individual is likely to get some form of cardiovascular disease. As nutrition is directly related to health outcomes, increased efforts to train doctors are pertinent. In one survey administered to cardiologists in America and Europe, over 70% of doctors believed that it is their duty to incorporate thoughtful nutrition advising into their practice.‖ (Aggarwal, 2018). This review of the literature will highlight the deficiency of nutritional education among doctors and medical students.
II. BACKGROUND Many cardiologists believe that a healthy diet is an important aspect of cardiovascular guidelines for risk reduction and treatment. Unfortunately, many cardiologists, cardiology fellows-in-training, and cardiovascular team members do not have the proper nutrition education to implement these guidelines. One study administered 930 surveys to doctors and it was found that, ―Among cardiologists, 90% reported receiving no or minimal nutrition education during fellowship training, 59% reported no nutrition education during internal medicine training, and 31% reported receiving no nutrition education in medical school. Among cardiologists, 8% described themselves as having ―expert‖ nutrition knowledge.‖ (Devries, 2017). Most cardiologists say that most of them did not receive or had minimal nutrition education during their training sessions. Some say that they have not received any nutritional knowledge at all in medical school. Large portions
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