Departmental Training Course: Physical Assessment of Adults in Clinical Practice

Physical Assessment of Adults in Clinical Practice –

A Training Programme for Dietetic Departments,

 Available from 27^th January, 2025

The INDI Physical Assessment of Adults in Clinical Practice (PAACP) blended learning programme was developed by dietitian experts* under the direction of the  Nutrition Physical Assessment Steering Group, as it was recognised that there was a gap, in terms of knowledge, skills and confidence of dietitians with the physical assessment component of nutrition assessment. 

Improving physical assessment skills of dietitians, enables more comprehensive nutrition assessment and identification of malnutrition and its severity in individuals. This is crucial, as it is estimated that 1 in 3 adults admitted to Irish hospitals are at risk of malnutrition, and 145,000 people live with, or are at risk of malnutrition (majority in the community) in Ireland^1.

Our progress so far:

Since December 2023, 112 dietitians from across all clinical settings have participated in PAACP training. In the first quarter of 2025, a further two programmes (which are full to capacity) will be rolled out to 40 more dietitians. A third programme will be delivered in September 2025, and it is anticipated that places will be filled by those dietitians currently on our waiting list.

Increasing access to PAACP training via dietetic teams/departments: 

With the ongoing high demand for this training, and the need to embed physical assessment skills across the profession for the benefit of adult patients/service users, a training package for dietetic teams and departments has been developed separately. This approach will increase capacity and facilitate dietitians’ access to PAACP training in a more timely manner. This training package will be launched and available from January 27^th 2025,and will be available going forward.

The key points to consider for a department or team PAACP training package are as follows:

The workshop components will need to be co-ordinated, conducted and delivered within your dietetic department/team by an eligible dietitian(s) who acts as facilitator(s). 

Your chosen facilitator(s) must be:

Working in practice for more than 3 years.

Have had prior training in physical assessment skills

Be incorporating these skills into their practice for more than 6 months.

Be confident that they have necessary skills and expertise to deliver this training 

The training uses a peer model approach, so training will be carried out in pairs. There can be up to 5 pairs of dietitians per facilitator within your department/team.

All materials, resources and the e-module as well as certificate of completion, will be provided and available to dietitians from your department/team through access to the INDI’s e-learning centre. 

Guidance documents (facilitator handbook) and workshop slides will be provided by the INDI for the support of the delivery of the programme. 

In order to allow flexibility, a department/team will have access to the training package on INDI’s E-learning site for a 12-month period - during which training can be scheduled and delivered at times that suit the department/team, in 14 week blocks to pairs.

The cost of this option will be €110 for each INDI member and €180 for each non-INDI member within your department

If you would like further details, e.g. a breakdown of the learning objectives and training components, or if you wish to proceed with this training for your department or team, please contact info@indi.ie and copy cpd@indi.ie to register your interest. We will revert to you to ensure eligibility and provide all details.

*Dietitian Expert Content Developers

Nicola Dervan, Specialist Lecturer/Practice Tutor, UCD

Jenny Caffrey, Clinical Specialist in Critical Care, SVUH

Fatma Omar, Acting Clinical Specialist Dietitian, Heart/Lung Transplant & CTS, MMUH. 

With review by, and acknowledgement to: Barbara Gillman, Dietitian Operations Manager, MMUH, Professor Clare Corish, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, UCD and Mary McKiernan, Dietitian Manager, MMUH

References

Rice N & Norman C 2012. JPHN 15(10):1966-1972; Russell CA & Elia M 2012. BAPEN 2012