Medical Education Committee (MEC): A critical objective of the NAA grant is to develop a nationwide medical-nutrition curriculum for publication and ultimately for implementation in all medical schools. Currently, this curriculum consists of 17 chapters ranging from nutrition interview techniques to nutrition in various health outcomes, such as public health, diabetes, renal disease and cardiovascular disease. This curriculum should be available to course directors in 2001.

The MEC is responsible for assembling education materials that course directors can access nation-wide and that pertain to the curricular guides mentioned above. (Bob Knopp and Tanis Mihalynuk; others). The present plan is for each school to present its curricular materials via website for easy access at the national NAA website.

Evaluation Committee (EC): At UW, this committee is headed by Craig Scott, PhD and Donna Ambrozy, PhD. Evaluation of educational interventions is a critical element of the education and outcomes assessment process. In many ways, curriculum is driven by the kinds of exam questions provided to students. It is established that students learn best when provided with options for synthesis of information. The University of Washington is developing a Question Databank and roster of Standardized Patients, in addition to multiple-choice exams to facilitate student learning.

Patient and Practice Resources Committee (PPRC): This committee is responsible for developing and relaying tools that may be used for patient education and evaluation. An example of an effective nutrition education tool used at the UW to ascertain fat consumption is the Fat Intake Scale, which may be downloaded for personal and professional use.

The Nutrition Education Research & Development Committee (NERDS) proposes to conduct national nutrition education research. However a coordinating data center is needed for this purpose and additional NIH funds are being sought to facilitate development of this project.