Clinical Nutrition

Nutrition is an emerging science, and is gaining recognition on a global scale. Scientists and Medical professionals have begun to realize the importance nutrition plays for an individual’s well-being. Clinical nutrition is the practice of providing nutrition–related care and advice to individuals with chronic health conditions, in order to improve health outcomes. Clinical nutrition includes assessing nutrient intake, mediating nutrition–related symptoms, and providing evidence–based recommendations for nutrition interventions. Pharmacotherapy only manages symptoms of a disease. It is deemed incomplete without nutritional support. Clinical nutrition is the practice of applying the science of nutrition to the care of individuals, in order to maintain or improve their health. Clinical nutrition focuses on assessing individual dietary needs, developing nutrition–related treatment plans, providing guidance about food choices and monitoring the patient’s progress. The goal of clinical nutrition is to promote health and prevent and treat disease.Malnutrition is often the root cause of origin for many diseases. For instance, a diabetic cannot solely rely on metformin to control blood sugar without taking
into account the dietary carbohydrates taken daily. Many reports have highlighted that pancreatic beta cell failure which initiates Diabetes Mellitus is mostly happening due to a condition known as insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemia (due to insulin resistance) stems from consuming too much carbohydrate that the body cannot handle, ultimately leading to elevated plasma glucose levels despite the pancreas’s efforts to normalize it. Malnutrition in the context of under nutrition is also one of the factors accounting for death in hospitals (especially in cases of pediatric diarrhea).Previously, medical setups in Pakistan did not seem to incorporate nutritional intervention in patient care, and it was
a rarity to find a dietitian in a hospital some thirty years ago. Although the situation has somewhat improved today, there is still an existing gap. One of the reasons for this is the general lack of awareness in the population about the healing power God Himself has placed in His own medicine: Food. Both inpatients and outpatients have specific nutritional requirements which could impact their health status if not met
adequately. A drug may interact with certain nutrients in the body, or may impede their absorption. In some conditions, levels of certain nutrients can be depleted or elevated (as in the case of renal disease). Hence, it is important to address these factors when assessing for the patient’s health.
Just as how training in medical sciences is undertaken, we need to equip students with the right knowledge (both theoretical and practical) and skills which will enable them to use the right dietary patterns and lifestyle counselling to treat (or at least manage) a disease/ health condition. The Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition in Medical Therapeutics (CNMT) is a well-designed course for aspiring health care professionals looking to delve deeper in to the science of Clinical Nutrition, with the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained into practice within a clinical setting. It is suitable for those willing to work collaboratively as part of an integrated medical team, ensuring a better prognosis for patients. The Diploma in CNMT focuses on hospital dietetics, purely based on clinical application of nutrition. Upon completion, students will be able to work with both in and outpatients, addressing their nutritional requirements with an aim to improve their quality of life. As hospitals increase in size and number, there is therefore a need to employ clinical
nutritionists in every department of a hospital, as it is expected that their demand will rise in the future. Incorporation of
nutritionists in clinical settings can improve the quality and design of healthcare in Pakistan.

1. To provide comprehensive, continuous, and compassionate care to individuals, families and the community.

2. To use evidence–based medicine and the latest advances in medical knowledge to diagnose and treat diseases.

3. To develop and maintain collaborative relationships with other health care providers, including specialists, to coordinate the best care for patients.

4. To provide education and support to patients and their families about medical conditions, treatments, and healthy lifestyles.

5. To advocate for the patient and their family to ensure the best possible outcomes.

The aims of family medicine are to provide comprehensive, ongoing, patient–centered primary care to individuals, families and communities, with particular attention to the underserved. Family medicine practitioners strive to improve access to quality health care, promote health education and prevention, and advocate for the needs of their patients.

The diploma aims to introduce doctors to family medicine approach in primary healthcare, in line with international standards. This will act as a bridging course for General Practitioners to improve their current practice while further comprehensive courses are being designed and delivered.

Family Medicine is a primary care specialty that focuses on providing comprehensive and continuous care to patients and their families. It emphasizes the importance of preventative care and focuses on the overall health of the individual rather than on a single condition or disease. The advantages of family medicine include:

• Comprehensive care: Family Medicine focuses on treating the whole person, not just a single condition or ailment. This allows for a more comprehensive approach to health care, enabling the physician to look at the patient’s entire lifestyle and health history.

• Coordinated care: Family physicians coordinate care and communication between the patient, specialists, and other health care providers. This helps to ensure that all relevant information is available and that the patient is getting the best possible care.

• Continuity of care: Family physicians have a long–term relationship with their patients, allowing for an ongoing dialogue about health concerns. This allows for more personalized care and a stronger relationship between the doctor and patient.

• Prevention and wellness: Family physicians focus on prevention and wellness, helping patients stay healthy and minimize the risk of disease. This can greatly reduce the need for costly treatments in the future.

• It offers personalized, individualized care for the entire family. • Family physicians are familiar with their patients’ health history and have a better understanding of their individual needs.

• Family physicians often provide continuity of care and can coordinate care between specialists and other health care providers.

• Family physicians are trained to recognize the early signs of chronic and acute illnesses, providing care that is effective, efficient and cost–effective.

• Family physicians are available to provide preventive services, health education, and counseling to help their patients stay healthy.

• They often serve as the patient’s advocate in the health care system.

It is One-Year program comprising of 2 semesters and each semesters’ duration is 6 months.

Family medicine is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. It is based on the knowledge of the patient within the context of the family, with the goal of providing continuing and comprehensive health care. The benefits of family medicine include:

1. Continuity of Care: Family medicine provides comprehensive and continuous care for all family members, from newborns to seniors.

2. Comprehensive Care: Family medicine practitioners are trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of medical conditions.

3. Prevention and Wellness: Family medicine practitioners emphasize preventive care and health maintenance, such as vaccinations and screenings.

4. Coordinated Care: Family medicine practitioners coordinate care with other specialists and health care providers to ensure that all of the patient’s medical needs are addressed.

5. Education and Support: Family medicine practitioners provide education and support to their patients to help them make informed decisions about their health.

Family medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on the comprehensive health care of individuals and families. It is a primary care specialty, which means that family medicine physicians are often the first point of contact for patients seeking medical care. Family medicine physicians provide preventive care services, such as routine physical exams and screenings, as well as diagnosis, treatment, and management of chronic and acute conditions. They also provide mental health care, prenatal care, and geriatric care.

Family medicine is a specialty of medicine that focuses on health care for individuals and families across all ages and genders. It includes prevention and treatment of common diseases, chronic illnesses, and mental health issues. Family medicine physicians provide comprehensive and compassionate care to individuals, families, and communities. They work to promote health and prevent disease, often in the context of an ongoing relationship with their patients, and serve as advocates for their patients’ health. They may also provide hospital care, obstetrics, gynecology, and minor surgical procedures.

Students will be evaluated during each course on the basis of;

1. Formative assessment which is a mix of the tests, end of course examination, class and home assignments, class participation, interactive discussions, practical exercises, field works and/or group works, end of course examination, depending on the course outline (ongoing assessment)

2. Summative assessment based on the end of semester examination Summative assessments are held at end of semesters and comprises of semester examinations paper each.

Course Objectives

• Train doctors who can work as family physicians in primary healthcare in line with international standards

• To familiarize general practitioners with the principles and significance of family practice and family medicine in strengthening Primary Health Care in Pakistan.

• To understand the role of family physician in Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and train them to promote, prevent and treat a set group of population at primary healthcare level as to deliver Essential Healthcare Package.

• To introduce various communication skills models to improve communications skills.

• To introduce the concept of Evidence Based Practice and its application in practice.

• To illustrate the principles of documentation and medical records management in the context of family practice and UHC.

• To describe the principles of health promotion and disease prevention as integrated components of the overall healthcare system.

• To revise the principles of management of common medical problems in primary care.

NTI Institute of health management abides by its strict merit-based criteria with absolute transparency to select its students for the DPH program.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

The candidate should possess one of the following qualifications or an equivalent degree from a recognized university or accrediting body.

• M.B.B.S from a P.M.C recognized medical college

• Valid P.M.C registration

• One-year House Job in a P.M.C recognized training site

• Clinical experience of working in public or private primary health care facility will be preferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE

The candidate should preferably have one years of full-time work experience (in the case of medical doctors, after the house job) in public health-related fields in either the private sector or the public sector, including the armed forces. For students performing extra-ordinary during viva/interviews, the experience can be waived off by the admission committee.

AGE LIMIT

There is no Age-limit restrictions for admission in this Program.

FAMILY MEDICINE ADMISSIONS

NTI institute of health management has its own Admissions Committee, comprising of Program Coordinator, the Registrar, a Senior Faculty Member, and one nominated alumnus/alumna. The Admissions Committee has the responsibility for the selection of applicants to be admitted to the Program. It establishes procedures for the timely review of applications to the Program. Deferrals of admission are at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. The selected candidates from the Admissions Committee will be exempted from any test or interview.

FINAL SELECTION

The applicant’s acceptance is contingent upon the receipt of all required documents including official transcripts. The Admissions Committee is responsible for identifying those students with missing documents and/or credentials which do not meet eligibility standards.