Abstract

Purpose: Practical experience and training has always been core to dietetic education.  Building on a previous project on overall education models, documentation of the various ways practical training has evolved since 1993 may be helpful for future planning.   

Methods: A literature review with creation of a draft timeline anchored discussion with 10 current or recently retired key informants from six provinces on their individual experience managing programs. Interviews focused on internal and external reasons for establishment or changes in programs, associated opportunities and challenges and how they have been managed.  Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and content analyzed by topics for themes.  

Results:  Interviews revealed diverse local experiences and approaches under five main topics: i) bringing practical training into the education sector ; ii) changing regulation and accreditation; iii) student issues; iv) changing workplace, population needs and diverse experiences ; and v) transformative impacts of COVID-19. All emphasized the value and importance of national competency standards, support and cooperation to maintain program standards.   

Conclusions: Managers of various practica/internship programs face some similar challenges and have developed a wide range of locally tailored strategies to ensure students obtain needed competencies for practice.