PWE-222 To peg or not to peg: attitudes of healthcare professionals towards gastrostomy feeding: Abstract PWE-222 Table 1

Abstract

Introduction A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) may be used to provide enteral nutrition to patients, when oral intake is inadequate. Evidence supports PEG feeding in patients with stroke and oropharyngeal malignancy, however no benefit has been shown in patients with advanced dementia. This study examines attitudes of healthcare professionals towards PEG insertions and whether decisions reflect current evidence. Method Consultant physicians, GPs, Nurses, Speech and language therapists (SLT), Dietitians, Junior doctors and Student doctors and nurses were invited to complete a questionnaire pertaining to four clinical cases: advanced dementia, advanced cancer with poor oral intake, dysphagic stroke and prophylactic PEG in head and neck cancer. Appropriateness of PEG insertion was questioned for these devised cases and rationale for insertion determined. Results 426/684 (62%) questionnaires were returned. 13% of participants had previously received teaching about PEG feeding. Table 1shows the proportion of healthcare professionals who would initiate feeding for each case. Consultants, dietitians and SLTs were less likely to feed in advanced dementia than nurses or students (p Conclusion This study demonstrates that healthcare professionals have variable knowledge about the evidence base supporting gastrostomy feeding. Furthermore, we demonstrate teaching in this important area is limited. Given the increased frequency of PEG insertions, we advocate enhancing education of PEG feeding in both undergraduate and postgraduate training programmes, thereby hopefully improving patient selection. Disclosure of interest None Declared.