Patients’ experience of a nutrition MDT clinic

Published Date: 01st April 2022

Publication Authors: Roberts S, Tyrer J, Theis V

Abstract
The nutrition multi-disciplinary (MDT) clinic at a district general hospital (DGH) runs monthly and includes a gastroenterology consultant, dietitian and nutrition nurse specialist. Patients that are seen typically have complex nutritional problems including gastroparesis and short bowel syndrome and require review by multiple members of the MDT. 29 Patients attended the Nutrition MDT Clinic between April 2019 and March 2021. 3 of these have since passed away, 9 of these patients have been discharged from our care and 4 patients have only been seen once and therefore were deemed inappropriate to take part in the survey. 13 patients were contacted by telephone to take part in a questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of the nutrition MDT clinic. 12 of these agreed to take part. 1 was unable to be contacted so could not be involved. Nine statements were given by the above participants, who had to respond with strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree or strongly disagree to the following statements: 1. The Nutrition MDT clinic is better than a normal outpatient clinic 2. The Nutrition MDT clinic is helpful to me 3. I feel listened to in the Nutrition MDT clinic 4. I feel the Nutrition MDT are knowledgeable 5. I feel my symptoms have improved since being under the care of the Nutrition MDT 6. I feel able to ask questions in clinic 7. I have the time to address all my issues in clinic 8. I feel able to contact the Nutrition Team outside of the Clinic room 9. I find it easy to contact the Nutrition Team when I am at home 10. (83%) patients strongly agreed and 2 (17%) agreed that the Nutrition MDT clinic is better than a normal outpatient clinic and that the Nutrition MDT clinic is helpful to them. 11 (92%) participants strongly agreed and 1 (8%) participant agreed that they feel listened to in the Nutrition MDT clinic and feel that the Nutrition MDT is knowledgeable. 7 (58%) patients strongly agreed and 5 (42%) patients agreed that their symptoms have improved since being under the care of the Nutrition MDT. All patients agreed that they feel able to ask questions in clinic, that they have the time to address all their issues in clinic, that they feel able to contact the Nutrition Team outside of the clinic room and that they find it easy to contact the Nutrition Team when they are at home. Patients clearly benefit significantly from an MDT approach in relation to their nutrition, with involvement from a consultant gastroenterologist, dietitian and nutrition specialist nurse. Having 3 professionals in one clinic streamlines the approach to patient care and provides patients with a breadth of clinical expertise producing clear multifaceted plans, with clear lines of communication outside of the clinic room with the use of nutrition nurse helpline that is always responded to promptly.

 

Roberts, S; Tyrer, J; Theis, V. (2022). Patients’ experience of a nutrition MDT clinic. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. 48(.), p.510. [Online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.02.081 [Accessed 16 September 2022]

 

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