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Open Access 01-05-2021 | Nutrition | Original Article

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

Authors: Jane L. Murphy, Fehmidah Munir, Fiona Davey, Laura Miller, Ramsey Cutress, Rhys White, Megan Lloyd, Justin Roe, Carol Granger, Sorrel Burden, Lesley Turner

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 5/2021

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.

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Title: The provision of nutritional advice and care for cancer patients: a UK national survey of healthcare professionals
Authors: Jane L. Murphy
Fehmidah Munir
Fiona Davey
Laura Miller
Ramsey Cutress
Rhys White
Megan Lloyd
Justin Roe
Carol Granger
Sorrel Burden
Lesley Turner
Publication date: 01-05-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Nutrition
Care
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 5/2021
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05736-y

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