1. Vaughan E, Kumar S, Moreno J, Jenson C, Nelson E Baylor College of Medicine Nutrition Education in Medical School Does Mobile Technology Make a Difference?

2. Background Increasing rates of obesity and chronic diseases in the United States lead more patients to request dietary advice from their physicians. Lack of nutrition education for physicians-in-training and time constraints for practicing physicians make nutrition-related patient interventions difficult.

3. Obesity Rates in the United States

4. Objectives (1)Initiate a nutrition elective course with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) medical students (1)Assess the impact of a mobile application on student confidence (1)Measure student knowledge via pre/post-tests

5. Process of Innovation This was a prospective, interventional pilot study of first year medical students. Participants enrolled in an 8-week nutrition course. Participants downloaded a nutrition mobile application (app) (Lose It®) to practice providing weight loss interventions to an acquaintance. An end of course survey measured student confidence levels to provide this nutritional intervention. Pre/post-tests of nutrition knowledge were administered at the beginning and end of the course, respectively.

6. Mobile App

7. Results A total of 78 students (n=37 male, n=41 female) successfully completed the course. 68.8% of students reported that the mobile application increased their confidence of conducting caloric needs 33% of students reported that the mobile application provided helpful nutrition information. Students improved their nutrition knowledge test scores from 50% (±11%) correct at pretest to 86.5% (±9.9%) correct at post-test (t=-24.59, p<.0001). 97.4% of students would recommend this nutrition elective to a colleague.

10. Lessons Learned A nutrition course, which included the use of a mobile application, increased both student self-reported confidence to conduct caloric assessments and nutrition knowledge. Widespread interest in this course suggests that nutrition education in medical school deserves continued pursuit.

11. Conclusions Further investigation is needed using medical students further in training and a broader spectrum of mobile applications. Based on this pilot data, the use of a mobile application may be a promising tool for future physicians

12. References Adams KM, Kohlmeier M, Powell M, Zeisel SH. (2010). Nutrition in medicine: nutrition education for medical students and residents. Nutrition Clinical Practice. 25(5):471-480. Adams KM, Kohlmeier M, Powell M, Zeisel SH. (2010). Nutrition Education in US Medical Schools. Academic Medicine. 85(9):1537- 1542. CDC. (2010). Overweight and Obesity. www.cdc.govwww.cdc.gov Vetter ML, Herring SJ, Sood M, Shah NR, Kalet AL (2008). What do resident physicians know about nutrition? An evaluation of attitudes, self-perceived proficiency and knowledge. J Am College of Nutrition. 27(2):287-298.