Clinical Education: From Beds to Buses

Traditionally the hospital setting has been the ‘gold standard’ for dietetic students to develop and demonstrate safe practice in individual case management. This presentation argues whether this is the best approach to prepare graduates considering the current health work force development and heath care agendas. There are several disadvantages to the traditional model including: the current unsustainable burden of clinical supervision on hospital dietitians; the appropriateness of developing competences, such as client centered counselling, in a hospital environment; and workforce growth outside the hospital sector. Our aging population and the increase in chronic disease is driving a move towards a consumer led integrated health care system with increased interdisciplinary primary health care services.