Exam Room Nutrition: A PA's Journey to Compassionate Patient Education | Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN

When a terrified 10-year-old boy walked into Colleen Sloan's pediatric practice in tears, she discovered he'd been monitoring his weight obsessively after another provider warned he'd "need needles in his stomach" if he didn't lose weight. This moment exemplifies everything wrong with how healthcare approaches nutrition conversations—and sparked a mission to change it.As both a pediatric physician assistant and registered dietitian nutritionist, Colleen brings rare dual expertise to the critical intersection of medicine and nutrition. Her journey from clinical dietetics working with critically ill children to PA school while raising a child showcases her remarkable determination and passion for comprehensive patient care. What makes her approach revolutionary is her commitment to compassionate communication when discussing sensitive topics like weight, diet, and body image.Most medical professionals receive merely 2% of their training in nutrition, despite its relevance to virtually every condition they treat. Through her platform Exam Room Nutrition, Colleen equips clinicians with practical tools to confidently navigate these conversations using techniques like "ask, offer, ask"—a framework that respects patient autonomy while providing expert guidance."Being curious is a really great characteristic of an excellent clinician," Colleen explains, advocating for questions like "What's making this hard for you?" rather than judgmental directives. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also helps prevent provider burnout by fostering genuine connection instead of frustration.Colleen's CME-approved course for healthcare providers fills a crucial education gap, covering everything from nutrition fundamentals to counseling skills for specific populations. By transforming how we discuss nutrition in the exam room, she's creating a future where medical care nourishes both body and spirit.Looking to enhance your approach to nutrition conversations? Connect with Colleen on Instagram or LinkedIn @ExamRoomNutrition or through her podcast on Apple and Spotify. More at her website www.examroomnutrition.comSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.