Journal Article Ahead of print
PubMed: 41505809 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2025.113056
Use of oral nutritional supplements in Greece: Examining the effect of the level of knowledge of health care professionals on their use in clinical practice.
Nutrition 144:113056
Authors: Konstantina Nikolakopoulou, Michail Chourdakis, Odysseas Androutsos, Gülistan Bahat, Ezgi Pinar, Tugba Erdogan, Osman Abbasoglu, Kalliopi Anna Poulia
Affiliations
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Laboratory of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece.
- Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics Istanbul, Türkiye.
- Clinical Nutrition Master's Program, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye.
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Nutrition therapy can improve patients' health outcomes and reduce health care cost. The undergraduate curriculum is often considered inadequate with respect to medical nutrition therapy, resulting in insufficient knowledge of medical nutrition therapy methodology among health care professionals (HCPs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge among HCPs regarding the use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in clinical practice.
METHODS
An online survey was performed with the use of a validated questionnaire consisting of 33 questions (11 on demographic characteristics and 22 on the use of ONS). HCPs working in Greece with a recognized bachelor's degree and a professional licensewere included in the study.
RESULTS
A total of 159 HCPs (49.1% dietitians - nutritionists, 32.7% physicians, 15.7% nurses and 2.5% pharmacists; 66.0% women; mean age: 40.5 ± 9.5 years) were analyzed. The mean number of correct responses on the use of ONS was 11.4 ± 3.0, with a higher level of knowledge being observed for questions about the principles of ONS administration in relation to their use in specific conditions. The lowest success rates were recorded for questions relating to pressure ulcers (8.2%), hip fracture surgery (13.2%), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (15.1%) and older adult patients (24.5%). Moreover, a knowledge deficit was found to be associated with younger age, role as physician, nurse, or pharmacist, limited working experience, and a lack of interest/experience in clinical nutrition (p < .05).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study support the need to improve clinical nutrition education, especially for younger HCPs, those with limited experience, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.
MeSH
Nurses, Nutrition Therapy, Pharmacists, Physicians, Therapeutics