Module Details

Module Code: n/a
Full Title: Clinical Nutrition
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 10
Module Owner::
  • Rowan Kearns
  • Amanda Kearns
Departments: Life and Health Sciences
Module Description: This module explores the biopsychosocial aspects and clinical care of acute and chronic illness. It describes the nutritional requirements of patients with specific disease states, methods of nutritional assessment of patients, and nutritional support in a clinical setting.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Critically analyse the scientific literature relating to the role of diet in the aetiology, prevention and treatment of a range of acute and chronic disease conditions.
MLO2 Examine nutritional assessment methods to evaluate the nutritional status of a patient or group of patients, for example, screening tools to identify patients with or at risk of malnutrition.
MLO3 Analyse patient case studies, in terms of nutritional assessment and requirements, pharmacology, socio-cultural considerations, dietary recommendations and implications of disease.
MLO4 Collect, integrate, critically analyse and interpret relevant anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, dietary and environmental/psycho-social data using appropriate technologies.
MLO5 Plan and implement appropriate dietary strategies to prevent and treat a range of disease conditions while identifying and overcoming potential barriers to the practical application of theoretical concepts.
MLO6 Recognise the moral and ethical issues associated with nutritional investigations and be acquainted with the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Introduction to Clinical Nutrition
An overview of the Clinical environment such as hospital wards and introduction to the interdisciplinary team. An exploration of challenges faced by the health service and the role of the nutritionist in managing various medical conditions.
Nutritional Assessment
Importance of clinical nutritional assessment, nutrition screening tools, biochemical markers, clinical evaluation and dietary assessment.
Nutritional Requirements
Recap on nutritional requirements of adults throughout the lifecycle. Special considerations such as pregnancy; critical care/ICU; burns; wound healing; respiratory disease. Case study on dietary management of patients with increased energy and protein requirements.
Chronic Disease States and Co-Morbidity
Causes and cost of chronic disease states to include obesity, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease on the health service. Nutritional implications and nutritional treatment. Co-morbidity profiles, for example, menopause and osteoporosis; diabetes and foot ulcers.
Interdisciplinary Care
Exploring health practitioner roles in the management of complex needs, for example, mental health care considerations for eating disorders, AHP roles in dysphagia management. Nutrition perspectives on Bariatric surgery.
Gastroenterology
Cost of common digestive ailments on the health service. Compounding factors on gut health in clinical setting. Assessment and Diagnosis of gut disorders. Diseases of the mouth and throat; Dysphagia; Diseases of the oesophagus; Diseases of the stomach and duodenum; Diseases of the pancreas; Diseases of the small intestine including the malabsorption syndrome and coeliac disease; Diseases of the colon including inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, colorectal cancer and bowel surgery.
Specialist Wards
Endocrinology: Dietary considerations in Diabetes, Thyroid disorders, Hormonal imbalance and Adrenal insufficiency. Liver: malnutrition; ascites; hepatic encephalopathy; steatorrhoea; gastrointestinal varices; liver transplantation; Disorders of the gall bladder and biliary tree. Renal: acute and chronic renal failure; end-stage renal failure; renal replacement therapy; renal transplantation; nephrotic syndrome; gout and renal stone disease. Medical ethical issues.
Paediatrics
Faltering growth; Low birth weight infants; Inborn errors of metabolism; Cystic fibrosis; Food allergy and intolerance.
Elderly and Rehabilitative Care
An understanding of the use of nutritional screening tools in different clinical groups. Malnutrition and management with co-morbidities. Nutrition and dietary considerations in ageing and rehabilitative care.
Ethical Considerations
Case study: Ethical and Legal considerations in Paediatric services including informed consent, confidentiality, and adherence to professional codes of conduct. Case study: Consider user journey from symptomology, assessment and diagnosis of Cancer. Involvement of acute and community cancer services. The palliative and ethical considerations of patients with terminal and chronic illness.
Clinical Pharmacology
Drug-nutrient interactions and consideration of dietary supplements. Case study on Bariatric surgery.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work50.00%
Final Examination50.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing S1 Week 10 Learning Outcome 1,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Clinical Case study linked to practical class. Students will be assessed on their ability to a) assess an individual's nutritional status taking into account lifestyle and medical history and b) plan an appropriate dietary modification to treat a nutrition related disease. Outline the clinical care pathway, including health practitioner and support for biopsychosocial needs.
No Project
No Practical
Final Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 2,3,4,5,6
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
A 3-hour paper which will assess knowledge and understanding and the ability to critically interpret scientific and clinical evidence. The paper will consist of 5 questions, including a compulsory question 1. Students will be required to answer 2 of the remaining 4 questions.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Online (Contact) Contact Online Seminar Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 4.00 4
Total Weekly Learner Workload 13.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
This module has no Part-time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Joan Gandy. (2019), Manual of Dietetic Practice, John Wiley & Sons, p.1045, [ISBN: 978-1119235927].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources