Work

Patient expectations and understanding of hospital food service provision when declaring a food allergy

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Food allergies are increasingly common and so hospitals must promptly identify and manage these to maintain patient safety. The present study explored patient understanding and expectations of food allergy management in hospital food services. METHODS: This exploratory descriptive study used mixed methods, including semi-structured interviews and surveys with hospital inpatients declaring food allergies, aiming to explore understanding, expectations and preferences for food allergy management in the hospital setting. RESULTS: Twenty-four participants were interviewed, reporting between one and six food allergies across 25 different allergens. Three main themes were identified: "Shared responsibility for declaring and managing allergens in hospital", "Varied understanding and trust in hospital food service processes" and "Satisfactory hospital food service experience". In the latter, participants identified 13 key factors valued for hospital food, including appearance, food quality and flavour. Remarkably, being "free from" the food allergen was not amongst the most common factors. Generally, participants felt that declaring a food allergy had not negatively impacted their hospital admission, and overall satisfaction with food services did not differ between the food allergic study participants and the general hospital population. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the declaration of a food allergy did not negatively impact on hospital experience. However, further investigations are required to identify the most valued factors for hospital meals, aiming to enable a more targeted approach to better meet patient expectations.

Source: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics

DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13382

Authors: Leisa Bromiley, Shelley Roberts, Kate Affleck, Alexandra Clarke, Lauren Tomecek, Rebecca L. Angus

Institutions: Gold Coast Hospital, Gold Coast Health, Griffith University

Language: English

Topic: Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research

Subfield: Immunology and Allergy

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,120