Evaluation of a Europe-wide Survey on Paediatric Nutrition Training

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2020 Jun;70(6):868-872. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002681.

Abstract

Commissioned by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), we investigated how European physicians training in these fields are educated in nutrition. A survey on time spent in nutrition training, composition of multidisciplinary nutrition teams, and topics covered during training enrolled 50 participants. A median of 20% of training time was spent on nutrition training during fellowship. Fourteen (28%) had regular nutrition teaching. Thirty-four (68%) were part of a multidisciplinary nutrition team. Twelve (24%) used the ESPGHAN syllabus. Most frequent topics during nutrition training were diagnosis/investigation of failure to thrive, indications/contraindications for enteral feeds, and benefits/risks of enteral/parenteral nutrition. Twenty-seven (54%) had taken a formal nutrition course. Nutrition training in Europe varies and the ESPGHAN training syllabus is not yet implemented Europe-wide. ESPGHAN nutrition summer schools, and Web-based learning may provide appropriate training. We suggest that all patients necessitating nutritional care be treated by multidisciplinary nutrition teams.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Enteral Nutrition
  • Europe
  • Fellowships and Scholarships
  • Gastroenterology*
  • Humans