Implementation of a case-based approach workshop for clinical dietitians

Objective: Case-based learning is recognized as an effective teaching approach; however, the implementation of case-based approach has not been well researched among graduate dietitians. The present study aims to implement a case-based approach in dietitians. Methods: The study was carried out with 24 dietitians from 15 different centres. At first, the topic of clinical nutritional disorders was presented to all the participants, and then case-based learning program was implemented. A questionnaire was used to attain the participants’ opinions of the workshop and a nutritional knowledge test was used to assess end-of-workshop performance. Results: All the participants experienced case-based learning for the first time. The nutritional knowledge level of the dietitians increased statistically significantly in the post-intervention compared to the pre-intervention (p<0.001). In the survey, most dietitians reported positive feedback on the implementation of the case-based approach workshop. Conclusions: This study shows that case-based approach can be an effective method in dietitian education and provides an alternative format for the implementation.