1. Swiss Fight Against Malnutrition – Impact of an Official Curriculum
Z. Stanga, and the Executive Committee
of the Swiss Society of Clinical Nutrition ( SSCN )
University Hospital, CH-3010 Bern, tel ,
Switzerland demographics: 7‘508‘700 inhabitants, 572 hospitals, 5 university hospitals
Rationale
40% of hospitalized patients are malnourished. Malnutrition leads to increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, decreased quality of life and higher costs. Nutritional intervention is cost-effective. The level of knowledge and the awareness of nutritional problems are low among caregivers. The SSCN established a system and created policies to prevent malnutrition. The implementation of policies to promote nutrition has to be accompanied by a training programme for caregivers.
Methods
The SSCN has launched its educational programme in clinical nutrition in affiliation with 5 Swiss Faculties of Medicine.
The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Clinical Nutrition (CASCN) has been established in 2006.
Objectives of the CASCN:
to establish/improve education, information, competence
and skills standards for health professionals
to create an official organisation to certify specialists belonging
to a competent national network in clinical nutrition
A tight co-operation with the ESPEN Life-Long-Learning (LLL) programme and a close collaboration with other national societies (D, A, F, I) is planned.
Structure
The modular programme has been designed for full-time employees, consisting in 15 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). A case report discussion and an active participation at an international congress are included. The certificate will be given after an oral presentation at the National SSCN congress. The CASCN can be completed within 3 years.
Structural map of the CASCN
Directory and Medical Faculty
of the Swiss Universities
Executive Committee of the
SSCN
Course Directors
Ms. Prof. MM. Berger (SSCN, Chairman of the Scientific Committee CASCN)
Prof. M. Roulet (SSNC, Chairman of the Educational Committee CASCN)
Prof. E. Sterchi and Prof. P. Diem (Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern)
Scientific Committee
Chairman: Ms. Prof. MM. Berger
+ 5 members (SSCN)
Educational Committee
Chairman: Prof. M. Roulet
Executive Board
Dr. Z. Stanga (SSCN, Medical Faculty of the University of Bern)
Dr. R. Imoberdorf (SSCN)
Coordination CASCN
Ms. P. Imoberdorf
Applicants CASCN
Physicians, pharmacists, dieticians,
nurses, nutritionists, biologists and
professionals with interest
in clinical nutrition
Course Advisors
Swiss experts in Clinical Nutrition
Organisators of SSCN-courses
Organisators of courses with SSCN-patronage
Impact on Clinical Nutrition in Switzerland (2007/08)
course evaluation (total participant course hours: 10’892)
introduction of nutrition in the official curriculum of the Swiss
Medical Faculties
creation of 9 new Nutrition Support Teams
formation of 3 new Units for Clinical Nutrition
increasing SSCN-membership (237  250);
170 ESPEN block members
SSCN-Courses: National distribution
Languages: French German Italian
Conclusions
The CASCN  raises the awareness of many healthcare stakeholders
 offers a structured and official training for
medical and non-medical staff
 promotes good practice and quality assurance control
Submission date: 9 th of July 2008