Complementary Therapies in the Field of Dietetics

Objectives

The subject Complementary Therapies Applied to the Field of Dietetics is part of the subject of Intervention Strategies in Food and Health, included in the Optional module, corresponding to the optional training for the degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

This optional subject aims to introduce students to the conceptual bases of different complementary therapies and work with the scientific evidence of therapies that are commonly used in the field of dietetics.

The general objectives of this subject are:

• Learn about the different complementary therapies of interest in the field of dietetics.
• Determine the scientific evidence for these complementary therapies.

Learning outcomes

• LO1. Apply the knowledge acquired during their training in a professional manner.
• LO2. Meets the health needs of groups with special needs.
• LO3. Identifies their own training needs and organizes their own learning with a high degree of autonomy.
• LO4. Apply the foundations of critical reflection to processes linked to the exercise of the profession.
• LO5. Collects and interprets data and information on which to base their conclusions, which include reflections on scientific or ethical issues in the field of human nutrition and dietetics.

Competencies

General skills

• Meet the health needs of the population and the challenges of the profession itself through innovative and flexible attitudes.

Specific skills

• Design and implement feeding plans for individuals and groups, composed of both healthy children, pregnant women, sportsmen and women, etc., and sick individuals, with due consideration of different nutritional techniques and support products for use by dietitians and nutritionists.

Core skills

• Display professional skills in complex multidisciplinary contexts, working in networked teams, whether face-to-face or online, through use of information and communication technology.

Content

1. Introduction to complementary therapies
2. Types of complementary therapies applied in the field of dietetics. Scientific evidence
   1. Bach flowers
   2. Homeopathy
   3. Orthomolecular nutrition
   4. Phytotherapy
   5. Acupuncture
   6. Others
3. Nutritional supplements and complements

Evaluation

According to the Academic Regulations for undergraduate studies at UVic-UCC, there is only one official call for applications that provides for two different evaluation periods:

• Ordinary period, which takes place as part of the training process and during the school period.
• Complementary evaluation period, in which the student can be evaluated again for the tasks, activities or tests that he or she did not pass satisfactorily within the framework of the first period.

Ordinary period

Continuous evaluation is carried out of the following activities carried out by the student:

• Solution of exercises and cases (individual): 40% of the final mark of the subject; non recoverable
• Critical analysis of a scientific article (individual): 10% of the subject's final mark; non recoverable
• Analysis of a subject of a disclosure page, verification of the veracity of the statements (group): 20% of the subject's final mark; recoverable
• Group work and presentation: 30% of the subject's final grade; recoverable

Failure to attend the oral presentation will result in a 10% penalty on the group work grade.

Complementary evaluation period

Students who do not pass some of the activities considered retakeable may retake them during this period, as long as the total number of parts of the subject not passed does not represent 50% of the final grade.

Important

Plagiarism or copying someone else's work is penalized in all universities and, according to the UVic-UCC coexistence rules, constitute serious or very serious faults. Therefore, during the course of this subject, plagiarism or the improper appropriation of texts or ideas from other people (see What is considered plagiarism?) and the improper or undeclared use of artificial intelligence in an activity automatically result in suspension or other disciplinary measures.

To cite texts and materials appropriately, you must consult the academic citation guidelines and guidelines available on the UVic Library website.

Methodology

• Master classes and case resolution
• Critical reading of articles

Bibliography

Key references

• GRECS. Grup de Recerca en Cures de la Salut (2019). Guia de bones pràctiques basada en l'evidència: actualització 2018: Millorem la qualitat de vida i el benestar de les persones mitjançant les teràpies naturals i complementàries. Col·legi Oficial Infermeres i Infermers.
• Pamplona, J.D. (2004). Enciclopedia de las plantas medicinales (11 ed.). Safeliz.

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.