Evaluation of Newly Graduated Doctors Attitude, Efficacy and Knowledge Towards Nutritional Care in General Practice

Background: world wide there is increase emphasis on medical nutrition therapy, that’s incorporating nutrition care as part of daily clinical care in order to promote the health of patient and public. Objective: To assess nutrition related knowledge, attitude and perceived self-efficacy in nutrition care of newly graduated doctors. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study design were carried out from December 2023 till January 2025, in which all newly graduated medical doctors, from both colleges of medicine that present in Mosul city in Iraq, during the years 2022, 2023, and 2024 were eligible to participate. Data were collected using valid and reliable questionnaire form. Results: A total of 392 newly graduated medical doctors participated, with response rate of 93%, the average nutrition related knowledge was 62%, with 52.8% had positive attitude towards nutritional care and 12% had confidence in providing nutritional counselling. Conclusion: Newly graduated medical doctors had good knowledge and positive attitudes regarding nutrition care but had low levels of perceived efficacy in proving nutrition care, this suggest the need for implementing strategies that help to enhance medical doctors confidence level in providing nutrition care during their daily practices.