Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Delirium affects up to 50% of hospitalised patients, increasing morbidity, mortality, and length of stay.Malnutrition is common in these patients and can both contribute to and result from delirium.Enteral nutrition (EN) may reduce the severity and duration of delirium, yet it is often underutilised in clinical settings.Dietitians often recommend EN when oral intake is inadequate despite maximal support; however, its implementation varies in practice.Aim: To explore barriers and enablers to EN provision for patients with delirium among general medical and neurology doctors at Austin Health.Methods: Thirteen doctors participated in semistructured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams.Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework.Semantic and latent coding were applied, and iterative discussions between researchers refined the emerging themes.Results: There were five key themes: 1. Clinical and ethical appropriateness-EN decisions must be individualised, considering frailty, prognosis, and patient preferences.2. Barriers-Tube intolerance, staff inexperience, and competing priorities hinder EN use. 3. Enablers-Early dietitian referral, multidisciplinary collaboration, family involvement, and clear clinical indicators support EN implementation.4. Timing and value-While reversible medical causes are prioritised, nutrition is recognised as a valuable adjunct. 5. Strategies-Education, policy development, comfort measures, and family engagement improve uptake of nutrition recommendations.Conclusion: EN decisions in delirium require careful clinical and ethical consideration.Identifying barriers and enablers can guide EN implementation, while advocacy, education, and protocols are needed to enhance nutrition support for this vulnerable group.
Source: Nutrition & Dietetics
Language: English
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7128404953
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