Partners of the E+DIETing_LAB project publish a chapter in the book “Technological Approaches to Medical and Pharmaceutical Education”

In December of last year, the partners of the Erasmus Plus project “Digital Lab for Education in Dietetics combining Experiential Learning and Community Service” (E+DIETing_LAB), led by the European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLANTICO), had the opportunity to publish a chapter about the project in the book titled “Technological Approaches to Medical and Pharmaceutical Education.”

The book published by IGI Global Scientific Publishing is a collection of collaborative work between various authors and projects. Medical and pharmaceutical education and practices have been revolutionized by technology, and has enabled learning enhancement and outcome improvements. With technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, interactive 3D models and online platforms, new tools and more effective methods have been created. Today, there is a deeper understanding of the medical field in various areas such as anatomy, drug mechanisms and clinical procedures. Hence, the need of integrating technology into that educational field seems clear, as it is crucial to forming new skilled professionals.

Therefore, it becomes comprehensible that the connection between this book’s focus and the work being accomplished by the partners of the Erasmus Plus E+DIETing_LAB project. This project responds to an innovative approach to dietetics education and the growing need to improve practical dietetics training in a context where the obesity crisis has a significant impact on public health and the economy. To address this issue, the chapter proposes an educational model that integrates virtual patients, service-learning and simulations based on the Nutrition Care Process (NCP). Chapter 10 of the book, titled “E+DIETing_LAB Digital Lab for Education in Dietetics Combining Experiential Learning and Community Service”, was written by the UNEATLANTICO researchers: Iñaki Elío, Thomas Prola, Sandra Sumalla Cano, and Kilian Tutusaus Pifarré.

Furthermore, the chapter explains how the E+DIETing_LAB project aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice through simulated professional experiences based on the Nutrition Care Process (NCP), which is a systematic approach to providing high quality nutrition care. This way, students can develop crucial interpersonal skills and patient follow-up abilities, while also promoting a community engagement which allows students to apply their knowledge in meaningful socially beneficial ways. 

Overall, this milestone creates opportunities to nurture this discussion and champion the possibility of an improved and updated education in dietetics. Early results from participants will be analysed to gauge the effectiveness of the program, as it prepares future professionals for the challenges of modern healthcare.