Clinical field survey and multidisciplinary expert in-depth interview study on food for special medical purpose products for patients.

OBJECTIVE

Food for special medical purpose (FSMP) has become essential in clinical nutrition care. However, comprehensive data on FSMP utilization practices among healthcare professionals in South Korea are limited. This study aimed to investigate perceptions, current practices, and needs regarding FSMP among healthcare professionals.

METHODS

A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a cross-sectional survey of 417 healthcare professionals (47 physicians, 219 nurses, and 151 dietitians) from 90 institutions with focus group interviews of 24 Nutrition Support Team members from six institutions. Data were collected from May to October 2025.

RESULTS

Substantial interphysician variability was observed in documentation for enteral formula prescriptions. Infusion rates were documented in 9.2% of the physician orders; feeding method was recorded in 14.1%. Across all professional groups, diarrhea was the most common reason for changing enteral formulas (36%-39%). In education related enteral formulas, 59.6% of the physicians expected dietitians to educate patients; however, this role was most commonly performed by nurses (59.8%). Dietitians prioritized hygiene (66.9%) and safety (64.2%) when selecting products, and 84.1% of the institutions were providing oral nutritional supplements.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the need for standardized prescription documentation, evidence-based feeding protocols, and clearly defined professional roles in multidisciplinary frameworks, to optimize FSMP utilization.