OBJECTIVE: The effects of a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) tutorial program on learning clinical reasoning skills were compared in undergraduate dietetics students. DESIGN: A drill-and-practice program to control for time on task, and tutorial program, and a simulation program, as the test vehicle, were developed. The tutorial and simulation programs presented data on a patient with cardiovascular disease. SETTING: Subjects were tested in 30 undergraduate dietetics programs. SUBJECTS: Participants were 413 undergraduate diet therapy students enrolled in a coordinated program in dietetics (CPD) or a didactic program in dietetics (DPD). INTERVENTION: After completion of lectures on cardiovascular disease, subjects were given the drill-and-practice program plus a simulation test (group 1), the tutorial plus a simulation test (group 2), or the simulation test only (group 3). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on the simulation test were compared. Variables included type of CAI, dietetics program, year in school, computer experience, and experience using a medical chart. Mastery of objectives related to lower- and higher-level clinical reasoning skills introduced in the tutorial program was computed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: One-way analysis of variance and Student-Newman Keuls tests were conducted to determine any differences among the three groups. Reliability was determined using the Kuder-Richardson Formula 20. RESULTS: The reliability coefficient of the stimulation test was 0.93. Group 2 higher on the simulation test than group 1 or group 3. As a group, the CPD students scored higher than the DPD students. When CPD and DPD students were divided into the three experimental groups, there was no significant difference between the CPD and DPD student simulation scores. Group 2 mastered all objectives for lower-level reasoning skills and the higher-level decision-making objective better than groups 1 and 3. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: A computer tutorial program enhanced clinical reasoning skills in undergraduate dietetics students. This type of program could be used to supplement many topics taught in diet therapy and provide DPD students with experimental learning before their clinical intern practicums.

Trata-se de pesquisa realizada em hospital da rede pública estadual de São Paulo, especializado em cardiologia com pacientes obesos em acompanhamento ambulatorial pelo Serviço de Nutrição e Dietética (SND) dessa instituição. As formas de intervenção nutricional investigadas foram: atendimento individual, em grupo (controle) e grupo multiprofissional (com nutricionista e psicóloga). Na fase preliminar do estudo, realizou-se pesquisa de opinião que possibilitou o embasamento das variáveis analisadas. Na fase principal, os participantes foram divididos em grupos, sendo realizadas duas entrevistas individuais no intervalo de seis meses. Foram investigados apenas os pacientes de alta. Compararam-se os resultados obtidos quanto ao peso corporal, índice de massa corpórea, circunferência do abdome; o acompanhamento dos fatores de risco cardiovascular (hipertensão arterial, diabetes melito, dislipidemias) foi feito através da variação das medidas de pressão arterial e níveis sanguíneos de glicose, triglicérides, colesterol total e frações. Analisaram-se as opiniões sobre as facilidades e dificuldades para seguir as orientações recebidas por meio de instrumento próprio, não validado. No atendimento em grupo, foram obtidos resultados satisfatórios, porém não ideais, e verificou-se que os participantes passaram a valorizar o apoio familiar. No atendimento individual, os participantes conseguiram maior redução da glicemia e triglicérides, porém isso não pode ser atribuído exclusivamente à dieta. No atendimento em grupo multiprofissional, houve mudança de comportamento com valorização desse tipo de atendimento. / The study was performed in a cardiology specialty hospital of Sao Paulo state public system with obese outpatients followed up by the Sector of Nutrition and Dietetics of the institution. Nutritional intervention actions that were assessed include: individual visit, group approach (control) and multiprofessional group (including dietitian and psychologist). In the preliminary phase of the study, an opinion survey was performed, which supported many of the studied variables. In the main phase of the study, the participants were divided into groups, and 2 individual interviews were conducted within a 6-month interval. Only patients who had been discharged were assessed. The results concerning body weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, and follow up of cardiovascular risks (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia) were compared using variation of blood pressure measures and blood levels of glucose, triglycerides and total and fractioned cholesterol. We also checked whether patients found it easy or difficult to follow the received instructions, using our own non-validated instrument. In the group activities, results were satisfactory but not optimal and participants started to value family support. In the individual approach, participants reached higher reduction of glucose and triglyceride levels, but they could not be explained exclusively by the diet. In the multiprofessional group, there was change in behavior and recognition of multiprofessional approach.

Trata-se de pesquisa realizada em hospital da rede pública estadual de São Paulo, especializado em cardiologia com pacientes obesos em acompanhamento ambulatorial pelo Serviço de Nutrição e Dietética (SND) dessa instituição. As formas de intervenção nutricional investigadas foram: atendimento individual, em grupo (controle) e grupo multiprofissional (com nutricionista e psicóloga). Na fase preliminar do estudo, realizou-se pesquisa de opinião que possibilitou o embasamento das variáveis analisadas. Na fase principal, os participantes foram divididos em grupos, sendo realizadas duas entrevistas individuais no intervalo de seis meses. Foram investigados apenas os pacientes de alta. Compararam-se os resultados obtidos quanto ao peso corporal, índice de massa corpórea, circunferência do abdome; o acompanhamento dos fatores de risco cardiovascular (hipertensão arterial, diabetes melito, dislipidemias) foi feito através da variação das medidas de pressão arterial e níveis sanguíneos de glicose, triglicérides, colesterol total e frações. Analisaram-se as opiniões sobre as facilidades e dificuldades para seguir as orientações recebidas por meio de instrumento próprio, não validado. No atendimento em grupo, foram obtidos resultados satisfatórios, porém não ideais, e verificou-se que os participantes passaram a valorizar o apoio familiar. No atendimento individual, os participantes conseguiram maior redução da glicemia e triglicérides, porém isso não pode ser atribuído exclusivamente à dieta. No atendimento em grupo multiprofissional, houve mudança de comportamento com valorização desse tipo de atendimento. / The study was performed in a cardiology specialty hospital of Sao Paulo state public system with obese outpatients followed up by the Sector of Nutrition and Dietetics of the institution. Nutritional intervention actions that were assessed include: individual visit, group approach (control) and multiprofessional group (including dietitian and psychologist). In the preliminary phase of the study, an opinion survey was performed, which supported many of the studied variables. In the main phase of the study, the participants were divided into groups, and 2 individual interviews were conducted within a 6-month interval. Only patients who had been discharged were assessed. The results concerning body weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, and follow up of cardiovascular risks (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia) were compared using variation of blood pressure measures and blood levels of glucose, triglycerides and total and fractioned cholesterol. We also checked whether patients found it easy or difficult to follow the received instructions, using our own non-validated instrument. In the group activities, results were satisfactory but not optimal and participants started to value family support. In the individual approach, participants reached higher reduction of glucose and triglyceride levels, but they could not be explained exclusively by the diet. In the multiprofessional group, there was change in behavior and recognition of multiprofessional approach.