Professionals' perception on nutritional care of adult patients in comprehensive specialized hospitals of East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

Adult patients suffering from malnutrition in hospitals are often overlooked, especially in low-income countries. Health care professionals play a vital role in identifying and managing the nutritional needs of patients. However, their perception regarding the nutritional care of adult patients have not been thoroughly examined.

OBJECTIVE

Explore the perceptions of health care professionals on nutritional care and perceived barriers in providing nutritional care for adult patients.

METHODS

A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted, consisting of twenty-two in-depth interviews with purposefully selected health care professionals at comprehensive specialized hospitals from March to May 2024. The interviews were audio-recorded, and field notes were taken. The data were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Two main themes and eight sub-themes were generated. The first theme was Health care professionals' (HCPs) gaps which include: limited scope in providing nutritional care, not recognizing nutritional care as a routine care, healthcare professionals (HCPs) role on nutrition care and limited knowledge regarding nutritional care. The second theme was challenges and barriers to providing nutritional care which includes: prioritization, lack of emphasis in the health care system, missing collaboration between professionals, and lack of resources allocated to nutritional service.

CONCLUSION

Respondents assume that malnutrition may not occur in adult patients; they consider it not to be a problem for adult patients. Providing adequate in-service training to healthcare providers, allocating resources, and considering malnutrition in adult patients as one of the main issues to be integrated in nutritional care as a part of daily treatment are vital.