Students in the Iowa State University dietetic internship program will take part in a nutrition coaching initiative, led by the Partnership for a Healthier America and One Medical Group, that serves low-income families through their smartphones.
“It’s a very contemporary way to provide
health care,” Iowa State dietetic internship program director Jean
Anderson said. “By connecting with people on their phone, you’re reaching them in a
way that is simple and convenient. It’s also a great
opportunity for the interns to use the technology to build their motivational
interviewing and coaching skills through the continued promotion of healthy
eating and healthy lifestyles.”
The students will spend three months
training with One Medical before beginning to work with clients. The
initiative hopes to serve 500 clients over the next 18 months, with a focus on
parents who can share the information they learn with their children.
“Typically, this is a target audience that
dietitians work with more on the clinical side and not so much on the
preventive side,” Iowa State chair of Food Sciences and
Human Nutrition Ruth MacDonald said. “This takes the approach to prevent chronic
diseases by helping people modify their lifestyle behaviors and diet so that
they stay healthy and out of the clinic.”
Alerts Sign-up