THE ROLE AND IDENTITY OF PHYSICIAN NUTRITION SPECIALISTS IN MEDICAL SCHOOL-AFFILIATED HOSPITALS

This document was prepared by the Committee on Clinical Practice Issue s in Health and Disease of The American Society for Clinical Nutrition (ASCN). The committee recommends that each major medical center has a t least one physician nutrition specialist (PNS) who will be a regiona l resource for complex nutrition cases and will have a leadership role in the provision of coordinated nutrition services. The PNS will be r esponsible for nutrition education programs in associated schools of m edicine and will be a role model for aspiring physicians. Typically, t hese individuals will have thorough training in human nutrition resear ch. The PNS should be supported by a unique combination of resources i ncluding clinical earnings, teaching hospital and school of medicine s alaries, state and federal funds, as well as private sector support. T he ASCN should take a leadership role in developing the national ident ity of the PNS and in achieving recognition of board certification in nutrition.