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Hearts and Minds Project: A breastfeeding curriculum intervention to improve the education outcomes for nutrition and dietetics graduates
Author(s) -
RADCLIFFE Barbara,
PAYNE Jan
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.479
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1747-0080
pISSN - 1446-6368
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-0080.2011.01534.x
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , curriculum , psychological intervention , intervention (counseling) , breastfeeding promotion , medicine , promotion (chess) , medical education , nursing , workforce , psychology , family medicine , pedagogy , pediatrics , economics , economic growth , politics , political science , law
Aim: Dietitian nutritionists play an important role in supporting and promoting breastfeeding. Improving undergraduate training to create a competent and motivated workforce to deliver these outcomes has been recommended. This study evaluated a breastfeeding curriculum intervention designed to improve knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, and increase graduates' motivation to support breastfeeding into the future. Methods: Final‐year students studying nutrition and dietetics were surveyed at baseline in 2005 and post‐intervention in 2010. Questions related to student profile, breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, perceived professional role in breastfeeding support, intentions to support breastfeeding in the future and perceptions of the breastfeeding curriculum. Curriculum interventions were based on relevant evidence including recommendations from the baseline survey report, a gap analysis of existing curriculum, previous literature identifying key barriers to the support of breastfeeding by health professionals and learning and behaviour change theories and approaches. Results: General improvements in knowledge and attitudes and beliefs were found over the intervention period, although knowledge gaps remained on the risks associated with not breastfeeding for mothers and infants and when to recommend the cessation of breastfeeding. A significant increase was found in the percentage of respondents agreeing that their studies had engendered a strong interest in work involving breastfeeding. Significant improvements were also seen in student perceptions of the degree to which breastfeeding was addressed in the dietetic course. Conclusion: Curriculum interventions can effectively influence new graduates' future intention to support and promote breastfeeding if they address knowledge gaps, attitudes, beliefs and perceived social concerns about breastfeeding promotion.