Working under pressure and fragmentation: How clinical nutrition professionals in Latin America navigated nutrition assessment during COVID-19: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 significantly affected traditional nutrition assessment methods, forcing experts to quickly adjust to new constraints. This study examined practices in clinical nutrition during the pandemic in Latin America based on professional background or experience.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey from July to November 2021 involved clinical nutrition experts from 18 Latin American countries. A 70-item questionnaire assessed anthropometric, biochemical, and dietetic indicators; screening and diagnostic tools; and methods for estimating nutrient requirements. For statistical analyses we used nonparametric tests and latent profile analyses.

RESULTS

Among the 398 participants, the sample included dietitians/nutritionists (63%), physicians (25%), and nurses (12%). Biochemical indicators were used by 87%, dietetic indicators by 71%, and anthropometric measurements by 65%. Only one-third used GLIM criteria, whereas nearly 30% indicated that they did not use any screening tools. Variations in professional practices were observed regarding laboratory test requisitions and dietary assessment methodologies. Dietitians favored the use of recalls, whereas physicians generally ordered a greater number of biochemical tests. There was a significant variation in the estimation of protein and energy requirements, particularly outside of critical care environments. The influence of seniority on assessment practices was negligible.

CONCLUSION

Nutrition evaluation throughout the pandemic has demonstrated considerable variability with an individual's profession demonstrating a more substantial impact than their level of seniority. The limited utilization of standardized tools highlights continued fragmentation and emphasizes the necessity for interprofessional education and institutional policies to ensure consistent, evidence-based nutrition care.