The provision of nutritional advice and care for cancer patients: a UK national survey of healthcare professionals

Authors: Murphy, J.L. et al.

Journal: Supportive Care in Cancer

Volume: 29

Issue: 5

Pages: 2435-2442

eISSN: 1433-7339

ISSN: 0941-4355

DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05736-y

Abstract:

Purpose: People living with and beyond cancer often experience nutrition-related issues and should receive appropriate advice on nutrition that is consistent and evidence based. The aim of this study was to investigate current practice for the provision of nutritional care by healthcare professionals (HCPs) from a UK national survey produced by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration. Methods: An online survey sent to professional groups and networks included questions on discussing nutrition, providing information, awareness of guidelines, confidence in providing nutritional advice, training and strategies for improving nutritional management. Results: There were 610 HCPs who responded including nurses (31%), dietitians (25%), doctors (31%) and speech and language therapists (9%). The majority of HCPs discusses nutrition (94%) and provides information on nutrition (77%). However, only 39% of HCPs reported being aware of nutritional guidelines, and just 20% were completely confident in providing nutritional advice. Awareness of guidelines varied between the different professional groups with most but not all dietitians reporting the greatest awareness of guidelines and GPs the least (p = 0.001). Those HCPs with a greater awareness of guidelines had received training (p = 0.001) and were more likely to report complete confidence in providing nutritional advice (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Whilst HCPs discuss nutrition with cancer patients and may provide information, many lack an awareness of guidelines and confidence in providing nutritional advice. To ensure consistency of practice and improvements in patient care, there is scope for enhancing the provision of appropriate nutrition education and training.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/34573/

Source: Scopus

The provision of nutritional advice and care for cancer patients: a UK national survey of healthcare professionals.

Authors: Murphy, J.L. et al.

Journal: Support Care Cancer

Volume: 29

Issue: 5

Pages: 2435-2442

eISSN: 1433-7339

DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05736-y

Abstract:

PURPOSE: People living with and beyond cancer often experience nutrition-related issues and should receive appropriate advice on nutrition that is consistent and evidence based. The aim of this study was to investigate current practice for the provision of nutritional care by healthcare professionals (HCPs) from a UK national survey produced by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration. METHODS: An online survey sent to professional groups and networks included questions on discussing nutrition, providing information, awareness of guidelines, confidence in providing nutritional advice, training and strategies for improving nutritional management. RESULTS: There were 610 HCPs who responded including nurses (31%), dietitians (25%), doctors (31%) and speech and language therapists (9%). The majority of HCPs discusses nutrition (94%) and provides information on nutrition (77%). However, only 39% of HCPs reported being aware of nutritional guidelines, and just 20% were completely confident in providing nutritional advice. Awareness of guidelines varied between the different professional groups with most but not all dietitians reporting the greatest awareness of guidelines and GPs the least (p = 0.001). Those HCPs with a greater awareness of guidelines had received training (p = 0.001) and were more likely to report complete confidence in providing nutritional advice (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Whilst HCPs discuss nutrition with cancer patients and may provide information, many lack an awareness of guidelines and confidence in providing nutritional advice. To ensure consistency of practice and improvements in patient care, there is scope for enhancing the provision of appropriate nutrition education and training.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/34573/

Source: PubMed

The provision of nutritional advice and care for cancer patients: a UK national survey of healthcare professionals

Authors: Murphy, J.L. et al.

Journal: SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER

Volume: 29

Issue: 5

Pages: 2435-2442

eISSN: 1433-7339

ISSN: 0941-4355

DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05736-y

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/34573/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

The provision of nutritional advice and care for cancer patients: a UK national survey of healthcare professionals.

Authors: Murphy, J.L. et al.

Journal: Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer

Volume: 29

Issue: 5

Pages: 2435-2442

eISSN: 1433-7339

ISSN: 0941-4355

DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05736-y

Abstract:

Purpose

People living with and beyond cancer often experience nutrition-related issues and should receive appropriate advice on nutrition that is consistent and evidence based. The aim of this study was to investigate current practice for the provision of nutritional care by healthcare professionals (HCPs) from a UK national survey produced by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration.

Methods

An online survey sent to professional groups and networks included questions on discussing nutrition, providing information, awareness of guidelines, confidence in providing nutritional advice, training and strategies for improving nutritional management.

Results

There were 610 HCPs who responded including nurses (31%), dietitians (25%), doctors (31%) and speech and language therapists (9%). The majority of HCPs discusses nutrition (94%) and provides information on nutrition (77%). However, only 39% of HCPs reported being aware of nutritional guidelines, and just 20% were completely confident in providing nutritional advice. Awareness of guidelines varied between the different professional groups with most but not all dietitians reporting the greatest awareness of guidelines and GPs the least (p = 0.001). Those HCPs with a greater awareness of guidelines had received training (p = 0.001) and were more likely to report complete confidence in providing nutritional advice (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Whilst HCPs discuss nutrition with cancer patients and may provide information, many lack an awareness of guidelines and confidence in providing nutritional advice. To ensure consistency of practice and improvements in patient care, there is scope for enhancing the provision of appropriate nutrition education and training.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/34573/

Source: Europe PubMed Central

The provision of nutritional advice and care for cancer patients: a UK national survey of healthcare professionals.

Authors: Murphy, J.L. et al.

Journal: Supportive Care in Cancer

Volume: 29

Pages: 2435-2442

ISSN: 0941-4355

Abstract:

PURPOSE: People living with and beyond cancer often experience nutrition-related issues and should receive appropriate advice on nutrition that is consistent and evidence based. The aim of this study was to investigate current practice for the provision of nutritional care by healthcare professionals (HCPs) from a UK national survey produced by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration. METHODS: An online survey sent to professional groups and networks included questions on discussing nutrition, providing information, awareness of guidelines, confidence in providing nutritional advice, training and strategies for improving nutritional management. RESULTS: There were 610 HCPs who responded including nurses (31%), dietitians (25%), doctors (31%) and speech and language therapists (9%). The majority of HCPs discusses nutrition (94%) and provides information on nutrition (77%). However, only 39% of HCPs reported being aware of nutritional guidelines, and just 20% were completely confident in providing nutritional advice. Awareness of guidelines varied between the different professional groups with most but not all dietitians reporting the greatest awareness of guidelines and GPs the least (p = 0.001). Those HCPs with a greater awareness of guidelines had received training (p = 0.001) and were more likely to report complete confidence in providing nutritional advice (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Whilst HCPs discuss nutrition with cancer patients and may provide information, many lack an awareness of guidelines and confidence in providing nutritional advice. To ensure consistency of practice and improvements in patient care, there is scope for enhancing the provision of appropriate nutrition education and training.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/34573/

Source: BURO EPrints