Module Code - Title:
CT6071
-
NUTRITION COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module will focus on effective communication and counselling skills required to be a Dietitian in clinical and community settings and in developing appropriate education materials. Theory and practice of communicating health messages to individuals and groups in verbal and written formats will be the focus of this module. Social, cultural, environmental, economic and political influences on nutrition and health behaviour will be critically appraised in the development and delivering of an education session. The module will look at the influence on media and social media in disseminating effective nutrition messages along with translating scientific messages and literature into practice and education materials for consumers. Behaviour change theory and models in nutrition and dietetic practice will be critically examined.
Syllabus:
Behaviours change theories, adult educational theories and principles of communication; written and oral communication; media and social media in nutrition and dietetics; effective messaging; interview skills; client centred counselling skills.
This module will run in Year 1, Semester 1 Autumn from week 1 to week 12 - 2hour lectures and 2 hour tutorials to be scheduled on alternating weeks for 12 weeks.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
1. Apply learning and counselling theories to design individualised client and group education sessions.
2. Apply effective communication theories and skills in a dietetic interview promoting the self-management of a client/patient.
3. Design creative and effective food and nutrition education resource materials for lay audiences based on a scientific evidence base or consensus.
4. Evaluate media and marketing strategies that influence individual and population food and nutrition behaviours.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
1. Demonstrate awareness of ethical behaviour in communicating with individuals and groups in a dietetic interview or group counselling session.
2. Demonstrate critical peer reflection and peer communication.
Practice self-evaluation of own learning and performance using reflective process.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Lectures, Practicals, Tutorials and Workshops, Online materials, Debate, Role Playing
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Bauer KD, Liou D and Sokolik CA. (2012)
Nutrition Counselling and Education Skill Development, 2nd Edition
, Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
Holli, B and Beto J (2013)
Nutrition Counselling and Education Skills for Dietetic Professionals
, Wolters Kluwer
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
audrey.tierney@ul.ie