Open AccessSWOT Analysis of a Didactic Program in Dietetics: Results from Focus Group Research
Author(s) -
David Edens,
Bonny BurnsWhitmore
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of education and training
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2330-9709
DOI - 10.5296/jet.v9i1.18108
Subject(s) - accreditation , focus group , swot analysis , medical education , credentialing , curriculum , strengths and weaknesses , psychology , bachelor , medicine , pedagogy , political science , management , sociology , social psychology , anthropology , economics , law
This study utilized focus group research to understand the experiences of students in a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at a large, public university. Students participating in the focus group reflected on and discussed the strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats of the program. The participants stated that faculty support, hands-on learning, and opportunities to participate in clubs were strengths of the program. Students would like more opportunity to do research with faculty. They also indicated that there are program weaknesses such as access to common space, limits in course availability, roadblocks in curriculum, and limited access to necessary tools. Program opportunities, such as the upcoming accreditation visit, will express the student’s concerns and therefore focus administration’s attention on much needed financial support for the program. Although not a specific threat, changes in the credentialing for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists were also discussed by the students. Data were collected in preparation for an accreditation visit. However, the results can be used to advise department and university administrators about what items make students successful in their programs.