Current Nutrition Care Research Articles

Nutritional care: implications and recommendations for nursing.

Nutrition is a basic human requirement with both physiological and psychosocial dimensions that affect well-being. In times of illness ensuring adequate nutrition is particularly important because of the central part it plays in healing and recovery. This article explores the premise that current nutritional care in nursing practice is often inadequate with the result that patients' nutritional requirements are not met. It investigates the causative factors of poor nutritional care in nursing practice, the implications of such practice for both the patient and the professional, and proposes a number of recommendations for future change.

Quality Improvement in Diabetes Medical Nutrition Therapy

LEARNING OUTCOME: To describe a successful continuing education program developed by two national health organizations.The Diabetes Care and Education practice group of the American Dietetic Association partnered with the American Diabetes Association in the design and delivery of a continuing education program. The purpose was to transfer and translate the latest scientific, research and practice information related to the delivery of diabetes medical nutrition therapy (MNT).A steering committee was convened to determine outcomes, objectives, and content. Access to and awareness of the latest in diabetes management afforded the inclusion of information that was not yet published or available to the general public.The primary audience was identified as the generalist practitioner for two reasons: 1) the majority of persons with diabetes are not seen in specialty clinics, and 2) experts are more likely to read diabetes-specific articles and attend other diabetes programs. The one-day program was presented 28 times around the United States in 1994 and 1995. There were 4,577 attendees, 95% being RDs.The 1994 participants completed a one-year follow-up survey of their current nutrition care practices; 1,336 (64%) completed the pre-survey, 888 (42%) completed the post-survey. Matched data on 332 (16%) show that after the course there was an increase in dietitians (8%) using blood glucose monitoring records for making physical activity recommendations and more RDs (7%) taking the lead in determining the diet prescription. There was also an increase in the variety of meal planning approaches used. The greatest increase was in the use of counting systems (64% vs 43%).It is important that the generalist dietitian be proficient in providing quality diabetes care. Establishing partnerships with other organizations is key to expanding and supporting the role of MNT.