Piloting successes: A year of testing the E+DIETing_LAB digital platforms

Over the past year, the E+DIETing_LAB project has focused on testing and refining two innovative digital tools designed to enhance dietetics education: the Self-Learning Tool and the Service-Learning/Trainers Tool. These platforms have been piloted across Europe, offering valuable insights into their effectiveness in different educational settings and helping us gather feedback to further improve their design.

In this blog post, we highlight the diverse range of activities undertaken during the piloting phase, categorized by the types of activities conducted rather than by specific institutions.

Self-Learning Tool: Enhancing Learning through Virtual Patient Interactions

The Self-Learning Tool provides students with a practical way to develop key dietetic skills through virtual patient chatbot interactions. Over the past year, the platform has been used in various educational contexts, offering students a safe environment to practice history-taking and dietary assessment.

1. Interactive Classroom Sessions: In structured classroom settings, students used the virtual patient tool to simulate real-life consultations. These sessions were often followed by group discussions and debriefings, where students analyzed their interactions and received feedback from instructors. This setup allowed students to refine their questioning techniques, apply theoretical knowledge, and learn from their peers in a collaborative environment.
2. Foreign language training: Some sites are using the virtual patients to train their students in English consultation techniques. These sessions emphasize using the right vocabulary, adapting to patient responses, and building confidence in conducting consultations in a foreign language. The tool’s multilingual features enable students to enhance both their clinical knowledge and language skills simultaneously.
3. Student-Led Projects: In one innovative approach, students in more advanced classes piloted the Self-Learning Tool as part of a project-based learning activity. The project involved introducing the tool to first-year students, developing accompanying learning materials, and collecting feedback from participants. This hands-on approach not only enhanced the learning experience for the first-year students but also provided valuable insights for refining the platform by actively engaging students as key stakeholders.

These varied approaches demonstrated the tool’s flexibility and effectiveness across different educational settings, helping students gain confidence and proficiency in dietetic practice.

Service-Learning/Trainers Tool: Bridging Classroom Learning and Clinical Practice

The Service-Learning Tool, a virtual clinic platform, offers a bridge between theoretical learning and real-world clinical experience. It allows students to conduct real or simulated consultations under supervision, extending the reach of dietetic care to communities that may face barriers to accessing healthcare.

1. Real-World Community Outreach: The platform was integrated into community outreach programs where students provided dietary advice to real patients. The telehealth format proved especially effective in reaching populations in remote areas. By offering consultations online, students gained valuable experience while helping underserved communities improve their health through better nutrition.
2. Role-Playing and Supervised Consultations: In educational settings, the platform was used for role-playing exercises where students practiced consultations in a safe, supervised environment. Some activities focused on specific consultation techniques, such as patient education or behaviour change. By receiving real-time feedback from experienced dietitians and their peers, students were able to refine their skills and learn from practical experience.

Key Lessons and Looking Forward

The piloting activities conducted over the past year have demonstrated the significant potential of the E+DIETing_LAB’s digital tools in transforming dietetics education and community outreach. Through a range of creative and varied approaches, both the Self-Learning Tool and the Service-Learning/Trainers Tool have been successfully integrated into educational programs, providing students with valuable opportunities to enhance their practical skills in a supportive, flexible, and engaging environment.

As we move forward, the insights gathered from these piloting activities will guide further refinements and expansions of the platforms. Our goal remains to continue bridging the gap between theoretical learning and real-world practice, empowering the next generation of dietitians with the digital tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Stay connected for more updates as we continue our journey towards enhancing dietetics education and making healthcare more accessible to communities across Europe and beyond!

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