[Between intent and inability-management of malnutrition on medical wards of a centre hospital in Switzerland: patients' experience and perceptions].

Background: Malnutrition is a common phenomenon in acute care institutions accounting for many negative health consequences for the patient. In many hospitals, therefore, malnutrition risk screening and nutrition management programs were established; however, programs were commonly developed without integrating the patients' perspective. It is unknown if the program covers the patients' needs and if the interventions are worthwhile.
Aim: Because patient experience is known solely from everyday conversations, the aim of the study was to explore affected patients' experience regarding nutrition management.
Method: The study has a qualitative, inductive approach. From September 2011 till May 2012, seven women and one man were interviewed. To analyse the guided interviews, content analysis was used.
Results: The analysis shows that patients find themselves between ‘to want but not be able to eat’. Patients at risk encounter barriers due to their physical condition, such as swallowing- and chewing pain, nausea and dysgeusia and barriers associated with the system when ordering meals, such as fixed mealtimes, a limited variety of the menu and non-tasting supplements. To overcome these barriers patients are left to develop self-management strategies and to be in charge of their nutrition.
Conclusions: Therefore, targeted training for caregivers is a key, enabling them to support patients individually in their nutrition management. At the same time, institutional barriers must be removed.