An evaluation of malnutrition screening, dietitian intervention and patient knowledge of nutrition support available within an Australian oncology outpatient setting
Malnutrition is common among oncology patients and may negatively affect treatment outcomes. Dietitians can assist patients with maintaining adequate nutritional intake, minimising weight loss and preventing malnutrition, often exacerbated by nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) frequently experience...
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| Format: | Conference Paper |
| Published: |
2016
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/79870 |
| Summary: | Malnutrition is common among oncology patients and may negatively
affect treatment outcomes. Dietitians can assist patients with maintaining
adequate nutritional intake, minimising weight loss and preventing
malnutrition, often exacerbated by nutrition impact symptoms (NIS)
frequently experienced by those receiving chemotherapy. The study
aimed to assess whether oncology outpatients at risk of malnutrition
were appropriately referred to a dietitian. An observational crosssectional
study was completed with patients receiving outpatient
chemotherapy (n = 40). Patients were screened for malnutrition risk
using a validated screening tool (Malnutrition Screening Tool [MST])
with the score compared against the initial MST score (completed at the
commencement of treatment by nursing staff). A questionnaire evaluated
patient perception of weight change, dietary changes and NIS
experienced. Initial malnutrition screening identified 22.5% (n = 9)
patients at nutritional risk (MST ≥ 2). The MST repeated during the
study identified nine patients as at risk of malnutrition after commencing
treatment that had not been referred to the dietitian for nutritional
assessment and support. Two-thirds of patients experienced weight
changes, of which 78% were unconcerned. All patients reported experiencing
at least one NIS and were most likely to seek advice from their
Oncologist for management. The study confirmed that malnutrition
screening should be completed throughout cancer treatment to enable
appropriate dietetic referral of patients at risk of malnutrition. Patients
undergoing chemotherapy may benefit from early education to ensure
they are able to identify negative outcomes from unintentional weight
changes and monitor for NIS and consequently self-refer for dietetic
input as required. |
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