Attitudes toward Dietitians among Second-Year Dietician Training Program Students

―Relationships with Career Paths and Competencies―

Abstract

　　This study aimed to examine the relationship between attitudes toward dietitians, degree of growth, postgraduation career paths, and competencies of second-year dietitian training program students, and the results will be used to improve the curriculum and learning support in the future. We conducted a web-based PROG test and questionnaire survey. Dieticians’ elementary competency scores were significantly higher in the dietitian job group than in the non-dietitian job group. "I think I am suited to be a dietitian" (self-confidence) was moderately positively correlated with personal skills. It was suggested that students' self-confidence in themselves as dietitians was low, but the motivation, values, and attitudes of dietitians are developed during the two-year dietitian training program and are particularly high among students who find employment as dietitians. On the other hand, values as a dietitian were considered to be one of the factors that influence students' career paths after graduation. Improving self-confidence and values as a dietitian is an issue to be considered in future learning support and curriculum improvement, and measures to address this issue include incorporating opportunities for experiences that enhance personal skills into classes and extracurricular activities and hearing about the rewards of working from dietitians in the field.