Nutrition plays a central role in disease prevention and health promotion and provides for cost effective medical intervention. However, research indicates a lack of nutrition being taught to medical students. In this project, a curriculum audit was completed to assess hours of nutrition content offered in a medical school curriculum in a large, public institution. This information was presented to first and second year students as an outline which also contained activities and references to enhance the students' appreciation of nutrition. In order to increase awareness of the vital role of nutrition in the outcome of patient care, and to increase referrals to clinical dietitians, a handbook was developed for third year students to use during their clinical rotations. This handbook contains information on diet ordering, tube feeding and TPN complications, and lists of names and numbers of available RDs. The handbook was distributed to third year students, course directors and the Clinical Biannium Committee (years 3 and 4). Questionnaires were distributed to assess the use of handbooks by students. Handbook usage was poor due to lack of educational inservices. An inservice education program was developed and presented by an RD to students in medicine and surgery rotations. The handbook received positive feedback. Referrals to clinical dietitians in the inpatient setting are increasing as a result of the handbook and subsequent inservice programs on the Handbook of Medical Nutrition Therapy.