The NECTAR-Study: development of nutrition modules for general practice vocational training; determinants of nutrition guidance practices of GP-trainees

Abstract

Objective: To identify determinants of nutrition guidance practices of general practitioner-trainees (GP-trainees), to investigate whether these determinants differ from those found by experienced general practitioners; to reveal educational directions towards the development of computer-based instruction on nutrition.

Design: Cross-sectional study by means of validated questionnaires.

Subjects: All GP-trainees in training at the eight university departments for vocational training in the Netherlands in September, 1998 (n=985).

Main outcome measures: Reliability of determinants of nutrition guidance practices was calculated by means of Crohnbach’s alpha. The mechanism of action of determinants was identified by means of linear structural relationship analysis (LISREL) using a model developed for GPs.

Results: Crohnbach’s alphas for factors ranged from 0.58–0.90. The empirical GP-trainee-data fitted with the corresponding GP-model on the mechanism of action.

Conclusions: The same predisposing factors, driving forces and barriers as found with GPs were identified with GP-trainees. Comparing the GP-and GP-trainee-models, only minor differences were found in the path coefficients between factors. Lack of nutrition training and education proved to be of great influence on the extent of nutrition information given. The GP-trainee-model will be of use in developing computer-based instruction on nutrition. It is expected that GPs may also benefit from this instruction.

Sponsorship: The study was carried out at Maastricht University, supported by research grants from the Dutch Sugar Bureau, the Dairy Foundation for Nutrition and Health, and the Dutch Meat Board.