STUDENT EVALUATION OF CULTURAL COMPETENCE INSTRUCTION IN DIETETICS EDUCATION

The purpose for this study was to examine the perceptions of students\u27 preparation and development of cultural competence during university coursework in the field of dietetics. A secondary aim of the study was to examine if cultural competency training is provided in the university curriculum for prospective nutrition professionals in their role as interdisciplinary team members/leaders. There was a paucity of literature directed at the importance of university curricular providing cultural competency training for students in preparation for their role as the nutrition expert on multidisciplinary teams. The quantitative study was a non-experimental survey method. The study’s participant sample was delimited to undergraduate-level university students enrolled in an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The Cultural Awareness and Attitudes Survey (CAAS) was an adapted research instrument used to assess how the dietetics curricula assisted students in cultural competence development. Students expressed that cultural competence is critical when communicating with other team members for coordination of care. These results imply that cultural competence can be introduced in the freshman year, which may strengthen cultural competency throughout the student\u27s university study. It may be beneficial for university curricula to include cultural competency training for prospective nutrition professionals in preparation for their role as interdisciplinary team members and leaders