Italian nutritionists soft skills university training

Authors

  • Claudio Pensieri Università Campus Bio-Medico, Roma
  • Lisa Santoni Università Campus Bio-Medico, Roma

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7346/sird-012024-p83

Keywords:

University, soft skills, High Education, Communication, Patient Education

Abstract

A good understanding and mastery of the science of nutrition and diet is a fundamental component required of nutrition professionals. However, this knowledge alone will not enable effective practice unless it is combined with highly devel-oped communication skills. In order to achieve dietary outcomes and nutrition education, it is critical not only the type of information that is provided, but also the manner in which it is disseminated. Using effective communication and adequately conveying messages is the key component to successful nutritional interventions. In this study, we wanted to investigate how many Italian universities (including telematics) had the LM-61 degree program active (Food Science and Nutrition). Then, we analyzed their educational offerings in search of structured courses in Interpersonal Communication (soft-skills) and we identified only 6 active courses in 5 faculties. After that, we interviewed health care professionals to analyze their perceptions of the problem related to soft skills in the workplace and their undergraduate education on these issues.

References

Benbassat, J., Pilpel, D., Tidhar, M. (1998) Patients' Preferences for Participation in Clinical Decision Making: A Review of Published Surveys. Behavioral Medicine, 24:2, 81-88, DOI: 10.1080/08964289809596384

British Dietetic Association: Revised 2020 Pre-Registration Curriculum Framework. URL: https://www.bda.uk.com/static/885f4aba-12cb-4557-973016da2e5e0516/BDACurriculum2020FINAL0505.pdf (accessed on 15th May 2023).

Bruening, M., Perkins, S., & Udarbe, A. (2022). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Revised 2022 Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (Competent, Proficient, and Expert) in Public Health and Community Nutrition. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 122(9), 1744-1763.

Ciappei, C., Cinque, M. (2014) Una tassonomia filosofico-antropologica delle soft skills. In C. Ciappei, M. Cinque, Soft Skills per il governo dell’agire, Milano, F. Angeli, 2014, pp. 267-303.

Dewey, J. (1933). How we think: A restatement of the relation of reflective thinking to the educative process. Chicago: Henry Regnery.

E.U., RPIC-ViP, (Commissione europea, Direzione generale per l’Occupazione, gli affari sociali e l’inclusione) (2011). Transferability of skills across economic sectors: role and importance for employment at European level, Publications Office, 2011, ISBN: 978-92-79-20946-8. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2767/40404 URL: https://op.europa.eu/it/publication-detail/-/publication/21d614b0-5da2-41e9-b71d-1cb470fa9789 (accessed on 17th May 2023).

Cornalli, F. (2018) Training and developing soft skills in higher education. 4th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’18) Editorial Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Valencia, 2018, pp. 961-967 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/HEAd18.2018.8127

Gable, J. & Herrmann, T. (2016). Counselling skills for dietitians, Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN: 978-1-118-94380-9

La Marca, A. (2009) Saggezza e adolescenti. Una sfida educativa. Armando Editore, Roma, ISBN: 978-88-6081-480-7

Joint Commission International (2020), Accreditation Standards for Academic Medical Center Hospitals, 7th Edition, Oak Book, Illinois, ISBN: 978-1-63585-148-9.

Nussbaum, M.C. (2011) Creating capabilities, Cambridge (Mass.)-London, The Belknap press of Harvard University Press, Tr. It. Creare Capacità, Ed. Il Mulino, Bologna, 2012.

OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) (2003) Definition and Selection of Competencies: Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations (DeSeCo), Summary of the final report Key Competencies for a Successful Life and a Well-functioning Society (Paris: OECD Publishing)

OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) (2015) Skills for Social Progress. The Power of Social and Emotional Skills. OECD Skills Studies (Paris: OECD Publishing).

Pellerey, M. (2017) Soft Skills e Orientamento professionale, Centro Nazionale Opere Salesiane - Formazione Aggiornamento Professionale, Via Appia Antica, 78, Roma.

Pensieri, C. (2009) La Comunicazione medico-paziente. Programmazione Neuro Linguistica & Sanità. Teorie e tecniche di comunicazione interpersonale. NLP International LTD, UK.

Pensieri, C. (2019) The Senge’s fifth discipline in schools. A literature review. Italian Journal of Educational Research, 12(22): 75-122. ISSN 2038-9744 (on line) - DOI 107346/SIRD-012019-P75

Ratka, A. (2018) Empathy and the Development of Affective Skills. Am J Pharm Educ. Dec;82(10):7192. doi: 10.5688/ajpe7192. PMID: 30643318; PMCID: PMC6325458.

Rusali, R., Jamaluddin, R., Baizura, N., Ghazali, H. (2020). Management Responsibilities Among Dietitians: What is the Level of Job Satisfaction and Skills Involved? A Scoping Review. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences. 2636-9346.

Downloads

Published

2024-06-29

How to Cite

Pensieri, C., & Santoni , L. (2024). Italian nutritionists soft skills university training . ITALIAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH, (32), 083–090. https://doi.org/10.7346/sird-012024-p83

Issue

Section

Researches

Categories