The NECTAR-Study: development of nutrition modules for general practice vocational training; determinants of nutrition guidance practices of GP-trainees

Objective: To identify determinants of nutrition guidance practices of gene ral practitioner-trainees (GP-trainees), to investigate whether these deter minants differ from those found by experienced general practitioners; to re veal educational directions towards the development of computer-based instr uction on nutrition. Design: Cross-sectional study by means of validated questionnaires. Subjects: All CTP-trainees in training at the eight university departments for vocational training in the Netherlands in September, 1998 (n = 985). Main outcome measures: Reliability of determinants of nutrition guidance pr actices was calculated by means of Crohnbach's alpha. The mechanism of acti on of determinants was identified by means of linear structural relationshi p analysis (LISREL) using a model developed for GPs. Results: Crohnbach's alphas for factors ranged from 0.58-0.90. The empirica l GP-trainee-data fitted with the corresponding GP-model on the mechanism o f action. Conclusions: The same predisposing factors, driving forces and barriers as found with GPs were identified with GP-trainees. Comparing the GP-and GP-tr ainee-models, only minor differences were found in the path coefficients be tween factors. Lack of nutrition training and education proved to be of gre at influence on the extent of nutrition information given. The GP-trainee-m odel will be of use in developing computer-based instruction on nutrition. It is expected that GPs may also benefit from this instruction.