This case study presents the feedback of students in response to education on nutrition in disasters at a university with a registered dietitian training program in 2011. This serves as a useful reference for teaching staff at other educational institutions since the need for the education on this new field is increasing. During a total of 7 hours of practical training, this topic was studied using investigative learning via the Internet, group presentations, and Crossroads game. (1) Crossroads was an excellent method of encouraging students with no relevant experience of disasters or work experience to consider disaster responses from the perspective of an interested party.( 2) It was anticipated that Crossroads would increase the educational effects when conducted in conjunction with prior learning and enable them to apply their own knowledge in the process of decision making.( 3) Students enjoyed studying nutrition in disasters; however, they did not consider it to be a high priority within the study of public health nutrition as a whole.( 4) Students placed more importance on whether the topic of study would be of use for graduation thesis and other studies. They would have prioritized nurition in disasters at an even lower level had the Great East Japan Earthquake not occurred. Because of growing concerns and shared image of earthquake, now is an opportunity for education.

View full abstract