Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “DIETICIANS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Cost-effectiveness of nutritional counseling for obese patients and patients at risk of ischemic heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity and dyslipidemia are risk factors for ischemic heart disease, and prevention and treatment in primary care can reduce these risks. The objective of this cost-effectiveness analysis was to compare the costs and effects (in terms of life years gained) of providing nutritional counseling by a general practitioner (GP) or a dietician. METHODS: A total of 60 GPs, who accepted to participate, were randomized either to give nutritional counseling or to refer patients to a dietician for counseling. The life years gained was estimated using a Cox regression model. Costs were estimated on the basis of registered use of time (dieticians) or agreed salaries (GPs). RESULTS: The effect of nutritional counseling comparing GPs and dieticians is greatest when counseling is performed by a GP--0.0919 years versus 0.0274 years. These effects appear to be moderate, but they are significant. It is also proven that the GP group was the most cost-effective-the cost of gaining 1 extra life year was estimated to be 8213 DKK compared with the dietician group, for which the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated to be 59,987 DKK. CONCLUSIONS: The effects were moderate, but other studies of other patient groups and interventions report effects within the same magnitude. The GP group was the most cost-effective, but it must be concluded that both counseling strategies were relatively cost-effective. Even though the cost of gaining an extra life year was estimated to be 59,987 DKK in the dietician group, this might be an acceptable price.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1981

[Behavior therapeutic training for weight reduction].

A behaviour therapeutic program for weight reduction was worked out by a team of psychologists, dieticians and doctors. A 10 week's course for weight reduction was given by 8 dieticians to a group of 5-7 female overweights (N=50). All dieticians based their work on a written handout. 4 of them had an additional training in behaviour and group therapy prior to the course. During the course all participants showed a significant weight loss and a change in their eating behaviour, the patients counselled by an additionally trained dietician (group E1) showing a significantly greater weight loss than the others (group E2). A follow-up after 3 1/2 months revealed similar differences but subsequent controls after 6 and 20 months showed a gradual decrease of the difference between the two groups. However three different patterns of the patient's weight curve could be distinguished. Pattern a): 26.3% of the participants showed a sinking tendency over all 20 months. Pattern b): 21.4% of the participants showed a significant weight loss over the 20 months with a slight upward tendency after the second follow-up (6 months). Pattern c): 52.3% of the participants lost weight only during the course which was regained in the following 3 months period. In pattern a) and c) group E1 and E2 are evenly represented. Pattern b) was only seen with participants of group E1. The results suggest that there are different characteristics of obese persons which influence the success of weight reduction programs. Further studies will have to describe these characteristics and define their therapeutical implications.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diabetes education and knowledge in patients with type 2 diabetes from the community: the Fremantle Diabetes Study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic patients obtain knowledge of the condition from a variety of sources. These include education programs and encounters with health-care staff such as during instruction on self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). OBJECTIVE: To assess whether diabetes knowledge is related to prior attendance at diabetes education programs, visits to dieticians or the current use of SMBG in a community-based cohort of subjects with type 2 diabetes. PATIENTS: 1264 type 2 patients from the Fremantle Diabetes Study (FDS) cohort. METHODS: Subjects answered 15 standard multiple-choice questions about diabetes and its management. Recall of past diabetes education, dietician consultations, and use of SMBG were recorded. Analysis of variance was used to determine whether these activities or other social and demographic factors predicted diabetes knowledge. RESULTS: Attendance at education programs, visits to dieticians, and SMBG were independently associated with greater diabetes knowledge. Subjects who were older, whose schooling was limited, who were not fluent in English and/or who were from Southern European or indigenous Australian ethnic groups had significantly lower knowledge scores. Patients who were older, not fluent in English or from an indigenous Australian background were significantly less likely to have received diabetes education, dietetic advice or to be performing SMBG. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes education programs, diabetes-related visits to dieticians and SMBG are associated with, and may be important sources of, improved diabetes knowledge in patients with type 2 diabetes. Our data provide evidence that barriers to access or utilization of contemporary diabetes education confront older patients, minority groups and those with language difficulties. These groups are likely to benefit from specialized programs.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Introducing a nutrition screening tool: an exploratory study in a district general hospital.

BACKGROUND: Concerns have been raised that patients' nutrition is a neglected aspect of care. Accordingly, 'nutrition screening tools' have been devised to ensure that all patients are assessed by nurses and, where appropriate, referred to dieticians. The tool adopted in our hospital was the 'Nursing Nutritional Screening Tool'. AIM: To investigate the impact of this screening tool on: nutrition-related nursing documentation; patient care at mealtimes; dietician referral. METHODS: This study was conducted on two similar general medical wards in a United Kingdom (UK) district general hospital, with the help of staff and patients (n = 175) admitted during two study periods, May 1999 and January 2000. Data were collected over 28 days before and after introduction of the screening tool on one of the wards. For both wards, in each stage of the study, data were collected b: review of patients' notes, non-participant observations of mealtimes. Frequencies of dietician referral and documentation of weight were compared by cross-tabulations and chi2 tests. Nine months later, the findings were discussed with ward sisters in a group interview. FINDINGS: Introduction of the screening tool impacted on the process but not the outcomes of screening. Use of the screening tool increased the frequency of nutrition-related documentation: the proportion of patients with weights recorded increased on the intervention ward (P < 0.001), and decreased on the comparator ward. Frequency of dietician referral decreased on both wards, but differences were statistically insignificant. There was no observable change in patient care at mealtimes. The nurses in charge of the wards felt that introduction of the screening tool had raised awareness of nutrition-related care. CONCLUSIONS: Meeting patients' nutritional needs is a complex aspect of care which may benefit from introduction of structured guidelines. However, the potential of screening tools to improve care is limited by diverse factors, which warrant further exploration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD): survey of specialist diabetes care services in the UK, 2000. 4. Dietetic services and nutritional issues.

AIMS: To examine the provision of, and variations in, dietetic services for diabetes in secondary care in the UK. METHOD: A postal survey of all secondary care providers of diabetes services. RESULTS: There was a 77% response rate. A dedicated dietician supported diabetes services in 73% of responses, but only 45% were able to see newly diagnosed patients within 1 month. Only 3% of responses documented that dietetic services provided the recommended minimum 22 h weekly input to diabetes care, and an annual dietetic review was said to be available in 15%. An opportunity for more frequent visits was most likely if there was poor glycaemic control (78% of responses), particularly when services were provided by a dedicated diabetes dietician. Although dieticians frequently provided input to patient education (88%), specific training for this purpose and provision for continuing education of these individuals was less common (14% and 63%, respectively). Nutritional guidelines were available in 74%, but only 31% of responses documented current guidelines on obesity management. Of bids for additional dietetic resources, only 21% had been successful. There was evidence of regional variation in service provision, and no greater provision of dietetic services in areas with a large South Asian population and an expected high prevalence of diabetes. In broad terms, dietetic services for diabetes care had not altered in comparison with a similar survey in 1997. CONCLUSIONS: The level of dietetic support of secondary care diabetes services remains dramatically lower than recommended in advisory documents, and appears to have changed little over the last 3 years. This is compounded by marked regional differences, and was no better in areas with a higher than average prevalence of diabetes. The survey also highlights the need for more co-ordinated and structured education and training of dieticians as well as more consistency in nutritional guidelines.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed2001

Inequalities in provision of systematic care for patients with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: GPs are now playing a greater role in the care of people with diabetes; however, the level of performance in primary care is variable. Practices with a recall system and diabetes mini-clinic have been shown to achieve better outcome of care of patients with diabetes. Systematic care also requires effective community-based diabetes services and access to primary care diabetes teams including dieticians, chiropodists, and optometrists and ophthalmologists. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine how services for people with diabetes are organized in primary care and whether there are inequalities in systematic care of people with diabetes. METHODS: A piloted postal questionnaire was sent to all 327 general practices in three health authorities in England serving a population of >2 million people. The three health authorities provided practice-based routine data relating to all general practices. RESULTS: A total of 264 (80.7%) practices replied; 236 (89.4%) employed a diabetes recall system and 196 (74.2%) reviewed their patients in a diabetes mini-clinic. Multiple regression showed that having a recall system was associated independently with a GP [odds ratio (OR) 6.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6-14.9] or a practice nurse (OR 3.5; 1.4-8.7) with an interest in diabetes. Having a diabetes mini-clinic was associated independently with a GP with an interest in diabetes (OR 4.1; 2.1-7.8), a practice nurse having attended a diabetes course (OR 2.8, 1.3-6.2), practices with more partners (OR 1.2 per additional partner; 1.0-1.4) and fundholding practices (OR 2.6; 1.2-5.5). One hundred and sixteen (43.9%) practices had a chiropodist present in the practice, and 90 (34.1%) had a practice-based dietician. A chiropodist and a dietician were significantly more likely to be attached in training practices and in less deprived areas. A practice-based dietician was significantly associated with larger practices. CONCLUSIONS: Providing high quality primary care is essential to meeting the government's agenda of reducing inequalities. This study shows high levels of structured diabetes care which are not related to deprivation. However, practices in more deprived areas still lag behind practices in more affluent areas in terms of access to members of the diabetes team. To improve care of people with diabetes in primary care, deficiencies and inequalities highlighted in our survey must be addressed. The results of this survey will be valuable to primary care groups and organizations responsible for commissioning diabetes services.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical nutrition knowledge in health care members of University Hospitals of Paraguay].

BACKGROUND: Adequate clinical nutrition care is an integral part of the complete treatment of hospitalised patients, requiring specific knowledge from the health care team. The aim of this study is to assess, in Paraguay, the health care team ability in clinical care nutrition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was made including 174 people of Paraguay university hospitals (29% physicians, 29% medicine graduating students, 11% pharmaceutics, 24% nurses, 7% dieticians), by answering voluntarily a multiple choice questionnaire of 20 items. RESULTS: The median score of the 20 questions was 6 (0-15). Physicians obtained a median of 6 (2-15), graduating students 7 (2-14), pharmaceutics 7 (0-15), nurses 3 (0-11), and dieticians 9 (4-13). The dieticians obtained a significantly higher score than the other groups (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge about clinical nutrition in the health care members from university hospitals is not adequate. The level of education in clinical nutrition is better in the dietician.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1995

[Do Type-I diabetics eat a diet in accordance with recommendations?].

The nutritional habits regarding intake of calories, carbohydrates, fat and protein of 25 nonobese type-I diabetic subjects were compared with the recommendations given at onset of diabetes by a dietician and with the official recommendations of the American Diabetes Association. Food questionnaires indicated that the subjects currently ate 39% more calories than originally recommended by the dietician. The carbohydrate part of total energy was 4 +/- 7% and thereby lower than recommended by the dietician and officially by the professional society (55%). Fat consumption was 38 +/- 7% of total energy and therefore higher than recommended (30%). 17.2% of total energy was fat with saturated fatty acids (recommendation: maximum 8 to 10%). Protein consumption was 1.25 +/- 0.35 g/kg BW/d and thereby above the recommended amounts (0.8 g/kg BW/d). Thus, dietary counseling of type-I diabetic subjects at disease onset is frequently hypocaloric, probably because of lack of appetite. Patients show a tendency to add fat and protein calories thereafter, instead of increasing carbohydrate intake. Dietary habits of type I diabetic subjects should therefore be re-evaluated periodically by a dietician and adjusted to the individual requirements and to the official guidelines.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Multidisciplinary treatment of pediatric obesity. Results in 213 patients].

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the results that have been obtained on obese patients with different modalities of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred thirteen patients (118 girls and 95 boys) diagnosed with exogenous obesity with an average age of 10.3 +/- 2.4 years (range 5-14 years) have been studied. The patients were classified into four different groups depending on the type of health specialty by which they were treated: a) Nutritionist; b) Nutritionist and dietician; c) Nutritionist and paidopsychiatry and d) Nutritionist, dietician and paidopsychiatry. The duration of the treatment was 1.0 +/- 0.8 years (0.1-4.6 years). RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (35%) abandoned treatment. A decrease of the body mass index > 2 points/year, criterion to be considered as a good response, was accomplished in 78 patients (36.6%). A good response associated with the fulfillment of the diet showed a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 62%. The increase of the size between the first and the last check-up was remarkably inferior in those patients who fulfilled the diet in relationship to those who did not (p < 0.003) and in the patients who had good response in relation to the patients who did not (p < 0.03). The control of the patients by different specialists did not improve the response, although there is a tendency for a better response in the patients of group-d with regards to the total of patients in the rest of the groups (41.3% vs 31.8%). A lower number of patients treated by a dietician left the treatment and 73% of these lost weight at some time during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Good response to the treatment seems to be associated with the fulfillment of the diet strictly controlled by the dietician, as well as with physical exercise. The lower increase of the height in patients with good fulfillment of the diet shows the necessity of a strict control of these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Health-care professionals' perceived trust in and willingness to recommend functional foods: a qualitative study.

The aim of this study was to investigate some Swedish dieticians', registered nurses' and physicians' thoughts about functional foods and their willingness to recommend such foods to patients. The health-care professionals were recruited to participate in one group interview with each profession. Participants were recruited through mailed invitations from primary care centers in Uppsala County district. The interviewed physicians and registered nurses, in contrast to the dieticians, expressed more skepticism and distrust about functional foods, their claimed effects on health and the research documenting these effects. The participating dieticians were more willing to recommend the products to patients than were the participating nurses and physicians. Differences in educational and professional background and level of proficiency in nutrition may have affected the disparate beliefs about functional foods among the interviewed groups. Confusion among patients could be a consequence but further research into these disparities is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Identification of nutrition communication styles and strategies: a qualitative study among Dutch GPs.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to identify nutrition communication styles of Dutch GPs, their strategies regarding nutrition communication and nutrition information seeking behaviours. Another aim is to provide a hypothetical model for nutrition communication style, including psycho-social and socio-demographic variables. METHODS: Nine focus groups with 81 GPs were used to obtain GPs' perceptions of nutrition communication. Data were analysed with the computer software program NUD*IST. RESULTS: Five nutrition communication styles were identified, namely informational, reference, motivational, confrontational and holistic style. Referring to a dietician, providing advice according to Dietary Guidelines, and offering written education materials were mentioned as strategies regarding nutrition communication. GPs sought nutrition information in scientific studies, specialist literature, and postgraduate training courses. CONCLUSION: The informational style of nutrition communication was dominant among Dutch GPs. GPs hardly provided maintenance advice for nutrition behaviour. Many GPs referred patients to dieticians, who were viewed as colleagues. GPs tried to get basic information about nutrition by scanning the literature, but they were seldom actively involved in seeking specific nutrition information. Although GPs felt that patients expect expert nutrition information, they perceived their nutrition knowledge as restricted. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: We advise to raise self-efficacy of GPs regarding nutrition communication and to build good collaboration with dieticians.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2006

Symptom management needs of oncology outpatients.

QUESTION: What were the needs of outpatients for symptom management? METHOD: A multidisciplinary team assembled to determine the need for a symptom management clinic. Two surveys were developed for potential users: one for the outpatients and the other for the attending oncologists. INTERVENTION: During a 3-week period, outpatients were approached after registering for the oncology clinic and while waiting for their appointment. Ninety-five percent of the outpatients approached completed the survey. FINDINGS: A total of 112 surveys revealed that outpatients would attend a symptom management clinic for relief of pain (50%), fatigue (40%), nausea/vomiting (30%), and/or sleeping difficulty (30%). A total of 16 surveys completed by oncologists revealed that outpatients could use more assistance with pain (81%), diet (75%), depression (69%), and/or fatigue (56%). Outpatients felt they would benefit from meeting with a nurse (35%), social worker (21%), dietician (18%), and/or pharmacist (18%). While oncologists thought that the following would complement care: dietician (69%), psychologist (69%), nurse (56%), and/or social worker (56%). Fifty-one percent of the outpatients indicated that they would attend a symptom management clinic and all but one oncologist would refer to this clinic. DISCUSSION: While there exists some disconnect between perceived need for symptom management between outpatient and oncologist, it is evident that pain is the symptom of primary concern. An interdisciplinary team of oncologist, nurse, social worker, dietician, pharmacist, and psychologist could collaboratively address the presenting symptoms. Users, both outpatients and oncologists perceive benefit from a collaborative and interdisciplinary symptom management clinic.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed2002

Estimation of calorie and protein intake in aged patients: validation of a method based on meal portions consumed.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is highly prevalent in hospital, mainly in geriatric, wards. Weight loss results from a negative energy balance, a situation where energy intake does not match energy requirements. Estimates of patient calorie consumption are not performed routinely because of technical difficulties. We performed three studies to investigate the meal-portion (MP) method as a tool for estimating calorie and protein intakes in clinical situations. METHODS: The MP method was designed to estimate calorie and protein consumption from the portion of the food items actually eaten by the patient, which is evaluated at the time plates and dishes are cleared away. Study 1 tested accuracy of the MP method in 50 meals by comparison to food weighing. Study 2 evaluated the validity of estimates obtained by a physician, a member of nursing staff, and a dietician in 30 elderly patients. Study 3 evaluated the robustness and feasibility of the method by comparing estimates obtained by nursing staff (after 1 year of practice with no additional training) and that of a dietician. RESULTS: Comparison of estimates and true values (obtained by weighing) showed a mean difference of -2 kcal/-0.8 g of protein from evaluations of one-half portions of food (50 meals) and -7 kcal/-1.0 g of protein from one-quarter portions of food; the difference was only significant for protein and one-quarter portions (p =.03). When evaluations were performed by observers of different professional categories (nursing staff, physicians, and dieticians) on actual meals consumed by 30 elderly people afflicted with disease, no statistical differences were shown. This interobserver agreement remained, regardless of the cognitive or physical status of the patient. A third study, performed after 1 year of no additional training, showed that the MP method is robust, but prone to clerical errors. CONCLUSIONS: Valid estimates of calorie and protein consumption can be obtained with the MP method, quoting in one-half portions. Quality controls are required both at the food production site (to avoid propagation of errors arising from food composition) and in data collection (to eliminate clerical mistakes). These results suggest that the MP method could be a tool for estimating calorie and protein intakes in many clinical situations.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Nutritional supplement practices in UK junior national track and field athletes.

METHODS: The nutritional supplementation practices of 32 national track and field athletes competing at the 2004 World Junior Championships were studied using an anonymous questionnaire. Information was sought on the prevalence and type of supplement used, the reasons for use, knowledge of supplements, and sources of information. RESULTS: Use of supplements was widespread with 62% of respondents declaring supplement use. Prevalence in female athletes (75%) was higher than in males (55%) but was not statistically significant. No differences were found for age, training volume, or type of event. Seventeen different supplements were taken, with each athlete using an average of 2.4 products, multivitamins and minerals being the most popular. Reasons for using supplements were for health (45%), to enhance the immune system (40%), and to improve performance (25%). Of all respondents 48% believed they had an average knowledge of supplements, but three quarters felt that they required further information. Those not using supplements were more likely to think supplements were associated with health risks than those taking them (p = 0.03). Most athletes (72%) have access to a sports dietician but underutilise this resource. Coaches (65%) had the greatest influence on supplementation practices, with doctors (25%) and sports dieticians (30%) being less important. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation practices were widespread among the population studied. The findings of this investigation could be used to enable the sports dietician and physician to identify common misconceptions held by adolescent athletes regarding nutritional supplements and to implement educational programs, which should include members of the non-medical support team.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Development of a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) subcommittee and CAM guide for providers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was 2-fold: (1) to evaluate the feasibility and value of developing a Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) subcommittee aimed at scientifically evaluating complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) products for an integrated managed care organization (IMCO) and (2) to assess provider acceptance and usefulness of a CAM guide. METHODS: Three factors drove the decision to form a CAM P&T subcommittee to evaluate current commonly used CAM products: (1) physicians, pharmacists, and dieticians expressed a desire for an easy-to-use, scientifically based mechanism for evaluating the ever-increasing number of CAM products; (2) Intermountain Health Care Health Plans (Health Plans), the insurance division of this IMCO, offers access to certain CAM products to its members at a discounted price in an effort to remain competitive with other IMCOs; and (3) this IMCO owns and operates more than a dozen community pharmacies that sell CAM products. Some IMCO clinicians believed an efficacy and safety review of the products offered through the organization was warranted. Subcommittee members included clinical pharmacists (IMCO and university), pharmacy directors, a community pharmacist, practicing physicians (from the drug P&T committee), a medical director, dieticians and nutritionists, and a representative from the Health Plans sales department. The primary outcome was the development of a CAM guide listing recommendations for use of CAM products. Outcome measures included survey results (survey sent with guide to physicians and (pharmacists) regarding acceptance and usefulness of the guide. RESULTS: The CAM P&T subcommittee met monthly to evaluate current commonly used CAM products. A CAM guide was developed in paperback and electronic versions. The electronic version was downloadable to handheld devices. Thousands of CAM guides were disseminated to IMCO-employed physicians, network pharmacies, dieticians, and nutritionists affiliated with this managed care organization. A survey that accompanied distribution of the first CAM guide in 2003 showed that 89% of physicians and pharmacists felt that the guide would be somewhat or very helpful as a counseling aide; the remainder was unsure. A second CAM guide was disseminated one year later, in 2004. The accompanying survey showed that 78% of physicians and 97% of pharmacists felt that the guide would be somewhat or very helpful as a counseling aide; 7% of physicians and 3% of pharmacists felt the guide would be unhelpful. CONCLUSION: A CAM guide developed through the work of a subcommittee of the P&T committee of this IMCO appears to be widely accepted by pharmacists and physicians. A CAM guide should be easy to use and available online with the ability to download to a handheld device.

Community Pharmacy Services↗
PubMed2003

Food safety of allergic patients in hospitals: implementation of a quality strategy to ensure correct management.

Food allergy could affect up to 8% of children. Four cases of food anaphylaxis in hospitalized children are reported, pointing to the need of food allergenic safety procedures in hospital settings. The implementation of the operating procedure in hospital food production units (HFPU) of Nancy University Hospital is described. The dietetics Department developed on hypoallergenic diet and specific avoidance diets. Dieticians within HFPU managed the choice of starting materials, the circuit organization in order to avoid any risk of contamination during preparation and cooking of food, product traceability, and trained the staff of HFPU. Within the care units physicians, dieticians, nurses, hospital workers are involved in meal management. A diet monitoring sheet is integrated into the patient's nursing file and enables the dietician to validate the diet in the computer, the nurses to display the patient's diet on the schedule on the wall in their office. The hospital workers finally use a tray form indicating the patient's identity, his/her diet and the menu of the day. Such a procedure absolutely secures the whole circuit and specifies the responsibilities of each person, whilst ensuring effective cooperation between all partners. Since 1999, the implementation of this multi-step strategy has prevented from any further reaction in a department specialized for food allergies in children and in adults. As setting up food allergenic safety in hospitals in not addressed adequately in the European directives, it's judicious to draw attention of hospital catering managers and hospital canteen staff to this necessity.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Status of nutrition support services in selected hospitals in India.

Nutritional support of hospitalized patients is a neglected aspect of clinical management despite the fact that hospital malnutrition leads to increased morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of data regarding the status of nutrition support services (NSS) from India; hence, the present study was conducted in 50 hospitals attached to medical colleges all over the country. A semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire was utilized to collect data regarding the status of NSS in these hospitals. The results of the study revealed that only 64% of the hospitals had a dietetics department. About 18% did not have any dietician. The dietician-to-patient ratio was very low--0.28 dieticians available per 100 hospital indoor beds. The majority (82%) of the hospitals were providing hospital food to indoor patients. The average cost of 4 meals per day was Rs 22 per patient. It was seen that only 46% of the hospitals were not providing hospital-based special feeds to the patients. The findings of our study indicated that the NSS are inadequate even in tertiary care hospitals and there is a need to strengthen the services for the holistic management of patients.

Hospitals↗
PubMed2005

[The management of nutritional care in hospitals: comparative study Brazil-France].

This study had as its proposal a comparative analysis, with the support of anthropotechnology, the management of nutritional care in hospital food and nutrition services both in Brazil and France. Data was obtained from documents, designed interviews and direct observation. The results with respect to France show that the characteristics observed offer conditions which are more favourable for dieticians. In Brazil, the low investment in health and education is even more challenging to dieticians. The recommendations to qualify the management of nutritional care were formulated in relation to the following aspects: the technology of management of nutritional care, strategies of interaction and organisation between clinical-nutritional attendance and the production of meals and background of dieticians.

Anthropometry↗