Assessing Osteopathic Medical Student Knowledge of Common Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies
Abstract
Many essential micronutrients are commonly deficient in the United States population, resulting in widespread negative health outcomes. Recognition of these deficiencies within primary care settings is paramount, and this training should begin in medical school. Osteopathic medical students are a crucial target for additional nutritional training due to the large number of osteopathic physicians practicing in primary care. Establishing the extent of current knowledge among osteopathic medical students is important for determining the need for additional nutrition education within the medical school curriculum. This survey-based study utilized a cross-sectional convenience sample of osteopathic medical students at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM). Respondents (n = 70) included 34 OMS-I (48.6%), 15 OMS-II (21.4%), 10 OMS-III (14.3%), and 11 OMS-IV (15.7%) students. The study had four objectives: (1) to determine prior exposure to nutritional education and confidence in nutritional knowledge, (2) to evaluate knowledge of the specific benefits of vitamins and minerals, (3) to assess the likelihood of students recommending supplemental nutrition to future patients, and (4) to determine student interest in additional nutritional education. Micronutrients assessed included vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium, and folate. All statistical tests utilized a significance value of α = 0.05. Seventy of 806 students enrolled at ACOM responded to the survey (response rate,…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 70 participants or records.
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