Seminar modules on healthy nutrition in medical rehabilitation

Peer reviewed / Manuscript (original) received: 23 October 2020 / Revision accepted: 31 March 2021

Results of the formative evaluation of a training program on the use of the modules and of practical implementation by nutrition professionals

Introduction

Background
Nutrition-related interventions are an essential component of multimodal medical rehabilitation and are defined in rehabilitation treatment standards as an evidence-based treatment modality for all indications [1]. According to international reviews, there is evidence for the effectiveness of nutrition-related interventions [2, 3], although studies are heterogeneous in terms of target populations, target parameters, and effect sizes. There is also evidence for the efficacy of some behavior change techniques (BCT) in the area of nutrition and body weight [4, 5]. As yet, in terms of health education about healthy eating in the context of medical rehabilitation, only a few group programs have been published and there is no evidence of effectiveness. There are also no known training courses specifically for teams of nutrition professionals working in rehabilitation facilities. Studies conducted in the rehabilitation setting demonstrate that training courses for leaders of patient nutrition education groups who come from various professions can increase participants’ self-reported skills as group leaders [6, 7].

The aim of the SErFo project was to systematically develop needs-based standardized modules (SMs) for teaching patients about nutrition in the context of medical rehabilitation, along with a training program for nutrition professionals on how to use these modules. An additional aim was the formative evaluation of the training for nutrition professionals. This article is concerned with the formative evaluation.

Abstract

Nutrition-related interventions are a key part of medical rehabilitation. Nutrition teams at rehabilitation facilities offer a range of nutrition education groups for patients. However, there are only a few standardized, generic group programs that aim to promote a healthy diet, and there is a need for the development of further strategies to motivate patients and promote the practical application of what is learned in everyday life.
The SErFo project (Seminarbausteine zu gesunder Ernährung und Fortbildungen für die Ernährungsberatung in der medizinischen Rehabilitation — standardized modules for teaching patients about healthy nutrition and training for nutritionists in inpatient medical rehabilitation), involved the systematic development of 46 defined learning outcomes, flexible training modules, an associated framework concept, learning materials and an associated training course for nutrition professionals. The formative evaluation of the training and the SErFo components was done at three time points and with 60 participants.
The SErFo components and training were evaluated positively. Self-reported skills were found to have increased after the training. Three months after the training, some of the SErFo components were being applied in practice. SErFo can help support and further develop the quality of nutrition counseling in groups. The main barriers to its implementation are internal barriers within individual clinics.

Keywords: Healthy nutrition, medical rehabilitation, group programs, formative evaluation, nutrition counseling

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