Abstract

AGUILAR LIENDO, AM; CASANOVAS VARGAS, MC  and  ZAMORA GUTIERREZ, A. Primary Care Centers as Learning Spaces for Nutrition and Child Growth - An Experience from Universidad Mayor de San Andres’ Pediatrics Department. Cuad. - Hosp. Clín. [online]. 2025, vol.66, n.1, pp.97-105.  Epub Sep 23, 2025. ISSN 1562-6776.

This article describes an experience from UMSA’s pediatrics department in primary care centers as teaching spaces for practical learning on child nutrition and growth, addressing Bolivia’s epidemiological profile and focusing on the first thousand days of life.

The teaching process emphasizes developing essential competencies, including growth monitoring, breastfeeding counseling, and personalized nutritional guidance. Initially impacted by pandemic restrictions, learning temporarily adapted to a virtual format, which limited the acquisition of practical skills. The subsequent transition to a hybrid model allowed for combining digital platforms with practical training at health centers, fostering direct interaction with mothers and children in a community setting.

This approach is effective in complementing in-person teaching and ensuring that students acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in preventive and child health promotion within a real primary care environment, helping them develop essential skills and a deep empathy with families.

In conclusion, this pedagogical experience offers an educational model aligned with Bolivia’s realities and underscores the importance of primary care centers in medical training, with a preventive and community-centered focus.

Keywords : Competency-based education; Nutrition education; Medical education in primary health centers..

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