Clinical Nutrition

Clinical Case Studies

Clinical Case Studies

Subject to satisfactory results, students progress on to clinical case studies in term 3. Students who fail to reach the necessary level will be eligible to leave with a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Nutrition.

The aim of the Clinical Case Studies is to provide training in evidence based nutritional practice for health professionals. Students complete a 12 week critical assessment of clinical cases, supervised by relevant clinical staff. Students assess and evaluate the medical history of the patient with particular reference to nutritional needs in a detailed, in depth manner, with reference to national and international guidelines, current literature and current treatment protocols. Students discuss the contribution of nutrition to the cause, progress and treatment of the disease. They reflect on clinical practice, including how treatment guidelines have been applied, and if there have been any barriers or issues which have prevented this. They should also discuss how it can inform local protocols and highlight learning points for their own practice. Students are expected to consider between 4 and 6 cases depending on the complexity of the cases involved. The cases should come from a wide range of clinical disciplines. The write up should include case presentations, methodology and results of laboratory tests, anthropometric data, food analysis, treatment and outcome with a critical review of the current literature. It is expected that students will approach all aspects of the case from an evidence based perspective.

Students write their case study report in the form of a paper for the British Journal of Nutrition and this helps develop appropriate scientific writing skills and discipline. The work should be between 5000 and 8000 words.