Tag: Med school

The average medical school curriculum includes only about 25 hours of nutrition coursework, highlighting a significant gap in nutritional expertise compared to a dietitian's specialized training. This critical difference helps explain why dietitians do not need med school, as their career path and scope of practice are entirely separate from that of medical doctors.

According to a 2015 study, US medical students receive an average of only 19 hours of nutrition instruction across their entire four years of schooling. This statistic highlights a significant gap in physician training, which often leaves new doctors feeling unequipped to answer patients' dietary questions. While the National Academy of Sciences has long recommended a minimum of 25 hours, the reality is that nutrition comprises only a small fraction of the demanding med school curriculum.

Over a number of years, nutritionists and registered dietitians have been confused with one another, but the two professions have different educational requirements. This distinction is at the heart of the question, "Does a nutritionist go to med school?" The short answer is no, a nutritionist does not need to attend medical school, but the full explanation reveals important differences in their training and scope of practice.