PRIMARY-CARE PHYSICIANS AND CLINICAL NUTRITION - CAN GOOD MEDICAL NUTRITION CARE BE OFFERED WITHOUT WELL-TRAINED PHYSICIANS IN THE AREA

The senior author, immediate past president of the IUNS (International Union of Nutritional Sciences), makes the case here that the standard , recognition, and efficiency of nutritional work in primary care are linked to the status of clinical nutrition in teaching hospitals. Ther e should be opportunities for physicians interested in clinical nutrit ion to be trained and have a profile similar to other clinical special ists. The clinical nutrition group in the Department of Internal Medic ine at the teaching hospital of the Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, is an example of a functioning clinical unit. Statistics are p resented comparing patient numbers for the clinical nutrition group at Ribeirao Preto with other clinical services (cardiology, nephrology, and geriatrics). Clinical nutrition has its own clinical methodology a nd technology. When clinical nutrition is visible and recognized in me dical schools, skills in nutrition will extend beyond hospital boundar ies and become useful in the primary care of patients at the community level.