Lights, cameras, stream: Dietetic interns' experiences with live virtual nutrition education and food demonstration program for older adults

<i>Learning Outcome: </i><i>Upon completion, participants will be able to list three bene</i><i>fi</i><i>ts and</i><br><i>two challenges of engaging older adults in virtual nutrition education using live streaming</i><br><i>technology.</i><br><i>Background: </i><i>During COVID-19, congregate meal participants lost access to interactive</i><br><i>nutrition education through senior centers, increasing their risk for malnutrition and</i><br><i>loneliness. Senior centers in Northeast Tennessee transitioned to online platforms and</i><br><i>desired to continue such programming post-pandemic to reach more older adults. Researchers </i><i>at two universities developed Socially Nutritious, a </i><i>“</i><i>virtual social supper club</i><i>” </i><i>intervention with recipe demonstrations, to address these issues. This qualitative study </i><i>examined dietetic interns</i><i>’ </i><i>experiences using live streaming technology to facilitate the </i><i>intervention in the pilot study and </i><i>fi</i><i>rst cohort to understand bene</i><i>fi</i><i>ts and challenges of</i><br><i>engaging older adults in virtual nutrition education.</i><br><i>Methods: </i><i>Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of</i><br><i>eight (8) dietetic interns was conducted after the pilot study and </i><i>fi</i><i>rst cohort. Questions</i><br><i>encouraged these facilitators to consider experiences using technology (eCamm Live</i><i>  </i><i>and </i><i>Zoom</i><i> </i><i>) to deliver the curriculum, perceived participant engagement and challenges with </i><i>technology and social media (Facebook</i><i>  </i><i>group), and bene</i><i>fi</i><i>ts and challenges in virtual </i><i>nutrition education for older adults.</i><br><i>Results: </i><i>Facilitators reported few technical challenges by participants and satisfaction</i><br><i>with </i><i>“</i><i>getting to know</i><i>” </i><i>participants through the Zoom sessions and </i><i>“</i><i>making an impact on</i><br><i>food choices and health.</i><i>” </i><i>Participants were more engaged in Zoom sessions than in the</i><br><i>Facebook group; however, facilitators felt additional content (i.e., videos, challenges)</i><br><i>would reinforce concepts taught in lessons. Facilitators recommended additional practice</i><br><i>with technology prior to </i><i>“</i><i>going live</i><i>” </i><i>on Zoom to enhance facilitators</i><i>’ </i><i>engagement with</i><br><i>participants.</i><br><i>Conclusion: </i><i>Live virtual nutrition education can encourage engagement among older</i><br><i>adults with relatively few technical challenges.</i><br><i>Funding Source: </i><i>This project was supported, in part by grant #90INNU0031 from the U.S. </i><i>Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services,</i><br><i>Washington, D.C. 20201.</i>