The provision of nutritional advice and care for cancer patients: a UK national survey of healthcare professionals
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The provision of nutritional advice and care for cancer patients: a UK national survey of healthcare professionals Jane L. Murphy 1 & Fehmidah Munir 2 & Fiona Davey 3 & Laura Miller 4,5 & Ramsey Cutress 6 Megan Lloyd 6 & Justin Roe 8,9,10 & Carol Granger 11 & Sorrel Burden 12 & Lesley Turner 3
&
Rhys White 7 &
Received: 9 July 2020 / Accepted: 1 September 2020 # The Author(s) 2020
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. Keywords Cancer . Nutrition . Healthcare professional . Nutritional advice . Guidelines . Survey
* Jane L. Murphy [email protected] 1
Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, 10 St Paul’s Lane, Bournemouth BH8 8AJ, UK
2
School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
3
4
5
NIHR Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham, UK
6
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
7
Nutrition and Dietetics, Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
8
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
9
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
10
Imperial College, Lond
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