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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #119884
Title: NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

Author
item Demory-Luce, Debby
item MCPHERSON, R - U TX SCI CNTR SCH PUB HLT

Submitted to: Topics in Clinical Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: By means of a mailed survey, the nutrition knowledge and attitudes of physician assistants (PAs) in Texas were examined. The 764 PAs (54.2%) who completed the questionnaire had a mean knowledge score of 70%. Knowledge scores were significantly related to level of education but not to other demographic and practice variables. The majority of the PAs supported the importance of nutrition in their clinical practices; however, many PAs indicated that they were not satisfied with the amount of nutrition education in their PA programs and felt that PA programs should place a greater emphasis on nutrition education. Suggestions are offered for improvement in PA nutrition education and patient counseling skills.