1. Hospital Staffs’ Perceptions of Postoperative Nutrition Among Colorectal Patients: A Qualitative Study
- Author
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Andrea Marshall, Shelley Roberts, Ben Desbrow, and Megan Rattray
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Attitude of Health Personnel ,030309 nutrition & dietetics ,Health Personnel ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Psychological intervention ,Exploratory research ,Nutritional Status ,Medicine (miscellaneous) ,Interviews as Topic ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Perception ,medicine ,Humans ,Medical nutrition therapy ,Enhanced recovery after surgery ,Qualitative Research ,media_common ,Postoperative Care ,0303 health sciences ,Nutrition and Dietetics ,business.industry ,Australia ,Nutritional Requirements ,Hospitals ,Colorectal surgery ,Family medicine ,Female ,Interdisciplinary Communication ,030211 gastroenterology & hepatology ,Nutrition Therapy ,Thematic analysis ,Enhanced Recovery After Surgery ,business ,Colorectal Surgery ,Qualitative research - Abstract
Background: After lower gastrointestinal surgery, few patients start eating within timeframes outlined by evidence‐based guidelines or meet their nutrition requirements in hospital. The present study explored hospital staffs’ perceptions of factors influencing timely and adequate feeding after colorectal surgery to inform future interventions for improving postoperative nutrition practices and intakes. Methods: This qualitative exploratory study was conducted at an Australian hospital where Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guidelines had not been formally implemented. One‐on‐one semistructured interviews were conducted with hospital staff who provided care to patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Interviews lasted from 21 to 47 minutes and were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Emergent themes and subthemes were discussed by all investigators to ensure consensus of interpretation. Results: Eighteen staff participated in interviews, including 9 doctors, 5 nurses, 2 dietitians, and 2 foodservice staff. Staffs’ responses formed 3 themes: (1) variability in perceived acceptability of postoperative feeding; (2) improving dynamics and communication within the treating team; and (3) optimizing dietary intakes with available resources. Conclusion: Staff and organizational factors need to be considered when attempting to improve postoperative nutrition among patients who undergo colorectal surgery. Introducing a feeding protocol, enhancing intraprofessional and interdisciplinary communication, and ensuring the availability of appropriate, nutrient‐dense foods are pivotal to improve nutrition practices and intakes.
- Published
- 2020