Work

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

Year: 2025

Type: article

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.

Source: Nutrition

DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2025.113056