ESPEN 2022 Late Breaking Abstracts
Topic: Nutrition and chronic disease
Abstract Submission Identifier: ESPEN22-LB-2108
QUALITY OF LIFE AND HOME PARENTERAL NUTRITION: A SURVEY OF UK HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS’ KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND OPINIONS
C. Kirk*, 1, D. Jones 1, M. Pearce 2, J. Mathers 2, N. Thompson 3, L. Gemmell 3
1Newcastle NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, 2Newcastle University, 3Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Rationale: There is increasing interest in the assessment of health-related quality of life (QoL) in the care of patients treated with home parenteral nutrition (HPN). However, it is not known whether healthcare professionals (HCPs) have embedded QoL assessment into routine clinical practice in line with current guidelines1, and to favour a more holistic approach to HPN care. Without the approach being embedded in practice it will not impact on patients to the degree that it should. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, current practice and the opinions of healthcare professionals regarding QoL in care of patients on HPN.
Methods: An online survey was distributed via email to HCPs working with HPN patients throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Participants were identified using a mailing list for the British Intestinal Failure Alliance; a specialist group within the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
Results: The survey was completed by 67 professionals including 24 dietitians, 17 nurses, 14 gastroenterologists, 6 pharmacists, 5 surgeons and 1 psychologist. Of these, 54 (80%) participants agreed that the measurement of QoL is useful. In contrast, 38 (57%) of all participants, including 27 (50%) of those participants that agreed the measurement of QoL was useful, never measure QoL. Knowledge of QoL literature was rated as poor or very poor by 27 (40%) participants.
Conclusion: Despite the perceived usefulness and importance of QoL assessment, very few HCPs are embedding it into clinical practice. Even fewer HCPs are sharing the results of QoL assessments with patients themselves. There is significant variability in QoL practice for patients treated with HPN. This is clear in terms of the frequency of QoL assessments, methodology, and how the results are utilised and disseminated.
References: 1. Pironi L, Boeykens K, Bozzetti F, Joly F, Klek S, Lal S, et al. ESPEN guideline on home parenteral nutrition. Clinical Nutrition. 2020;39(6):1645-66.
Disclosure of Interest: C. Kirk Grant / Research Support from: NIHR301591, D. Jones: None Declared, M. Pearce: None Declared, J. Mathers: None Declared, N. Thompson: None Declared, L. Gemmell: None Declared
Keywords: Adults, home parenteral nutrition, Intestinal failure, Quality of life