Dietetic Preceptorship

Hello, just a quick message to let you know despite appearances The Dietitian's Journal is not on hiatus nor am I on a vacation (except for a couple of brief visits to Queen Elizabeth Park).

I've been involved in an intensive and rewarding mutual learning experience with a dietetic intern.  I'm trying to begin 2011 with focus rather than multi-tasking so during the intern's time with me, I've set aside reading and writing for this blog.

Yesterday I discovered a free continuing education course on Dietetic Preceptorship that I'd like to share with you.

Dietetics Preceptor Training Program (scroll down the page to view the course description; to view the content in detail, you will need to register)

The course looks relevant and well-structured so I'm looking forward to working through all the modules, especially the section on critical thinking.

Quotes, notes and references

"Up-to-date, practical information from dynamic, knowledgable speakers; overall, a valuable learning experience worth the trade-off of being indoors on a rare sunny Saturday in October; I feel inspired, challenged and better informed."

This was my evalution of the recent Education Day I attended. Listening to expert speakers in a supportive, collegial atmosphere boosted my morale as well as knowledge. The next step: translate this into daily practice.

So this week I've been reviewing my handouts. I thought I'd post some quotes, notes and key references pertaining to best practice in nutrition support (enteral and parenteral feeding) and vitamin-mineral supplementation.

Session: Enteral feeding: the practice vs the evidence (Carol Rees Parrish, MS, RD)

"To date, adequately powered studies have not been conducted to demonstrate a significant relationship between GRV [gastric residual volume] and aspiration pneumonia."

"Good evidence exists for maintaining a backrest elevation of greater than 30 degrees to decrease gastric reflux and aspiration events."

Parrish CR, McClave SA. Checking Gastric Residual Volumes: A Practice in Search of a Science? Practical Gastroenterology 2008; XXXII(10):33-47 (PDF)

Session: Parenteral feeding: passé in patients with pancreatitis? (Carol Rees Parrish, MS, RD)

"Jejunal feeding is safe, effective, low risk; best route (NJ, N-G-J vs PEG/J, surgical J) has yet to be determined by a prospective controlled trial."

Krenitsky, J., Makola D., Parrish, C. Parenteral Nutrition in Pancreatitis is Passé: But Are We Ready for Gastric Feeding? A Critical Evaluation of the Literature-Part I (PDF)

Krenitsky J, Makola D, Parrish CR. Pancreatitis Part II - Revenge of the Cyst: A Practical Guide to Jejunal Feeding (PDF)

"In patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis, probiotic prophylaxis with this combination of probiotic strains did not reduce the risk of infectious complications and was associated with an increased risk of mortality.

Probiotics can no longer be considered to be harmless adjuncts to enteral nutrition, especially in critically ill patients or patients at risk for non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia."

Besselink MG, van Santvoort HC, Buskens E, Boermeester MA, van Goor H, Timmerman HM, et al. Probiotic prophylaxis in predicted severe acute pancreatitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Lancet 2008; 371(9613):651-9.

Session: Drug-induced nutrient depletion and supplementation -- Literature picks (Liz da Silva, RD)

Bardia A, et al. Efficacy of antioxidant supplementation in reducing primary cancer incidence and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mayo Clin Proc;83(1)23-34. (PDF)

Bjeklakovic G, et al. Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Rev 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD007176

Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals. Safe upper levels for vitamins and minerals, food standards agency, London. 2003 (PDF)

Mulholland CA, Benford DJ. What is known about the safety of multivitamin-multimineral supplements for the generally healthy population? Theoretical basis for harm. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85(suppl):318S-322S. (PDF)

Wildish ED. An evidence-based approach for dietitian prescription of multiple vitamins with minerals. J Am Diet Assoc 2004;104:779-86.

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Complete schedule and speakers' biographies (PDF)

Keeping Current: Topics in Nutrition Support 2008

I'm pleased to announce and support this upcoming educational event (October 25th, 2008) coordinated by Jan Greenwood, R.D.:

Nestle Nutrition Presents

From cupcakes to posters; asking for my readers' help

Image credit: Tips for designing scientific posters

My last post, over a week ago, was on cupcakes (part of the Friday Fun-with-Food series) but now that I'm back at work (first day, ouch) I'm returning to more serious topics. Today's subject: creating an experience-sharing poster for our upcoming Dietetics in Action education day.

Last year on my old blog I shared some of the excellent resources I found on making posters.  If you have to do a poster presentation, I recommend consulting them.  This morning, I'm reviewing the information -- why, oh why do I still have so much trouble with guideline #1: Start Early!

The working title of my poster is  Blogging as a tool for learning, communicating and translating knowledge into practice.

Here is where you can help. I would love some reader input. If you have a few minutes, could you think about this question and either comment or email a reply:

Is there a specific blog post (it can be from any credible blog on any subject) that demonstrates blogging is a valuable tool for learning, reflecting, connecting with others, and/or sharing and advancing knowledge?"  For example, the type of post that, after you read it, you thought "YES -- this is important, new-to-me information I can use in my practice."  It may be a quotation, essay, research article or other resource you bookmarked and/or forwarded to your colleagues, students or clients.

Thank you very much. I'd be thrilled to share others' ideas, resources and experiences on the poster rather than just my own opinions and words.

So I probably don't have to tell you things may be quiet around Greens & Berries for a few more days. Last week I used the excuse of vacation; this coming week I will -- I must -- be hard at work on my poster .

Nestlé Nutrition Presents: Current Topics in Nutrition Support 2007

Every October since 2000, there has been a continuing education event for British Columbia Dietitians that is always informative, inspiring, entertaining and fun.

This year, I'm thrilled to use this blog to promote the 8th annual Nestle Nutrition Presents: Current Topics in Nutrition Support, coordinated and moderated by Jan Greenwood, R.D.

Date: Saturday, October 27th, 2007.
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Overview of topics: Pre- and probiotics, gastric residuals, natural health products, the electronic health literature, surgical terms and procedures, salt and water imbalance, vitamins B12 and D, and the return of the feeding frenzy to end the day.

For complete details on this upcoming dietitians' continuing education event, click here (Word version) or here (PDF).
For the registration form, click here (Word version) or here (PDF).

Please register early to ensure your spot.