Mrs Grace Nolan1, Mrs Emily Brodie1, Mrs Nimanthi Weliwita1, Ms Emma Armstrong1
1Clinical Nutrition Department, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
Biography:
Grace Nolan is a senior dietitian at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Grace is currently the team lead of the general medicine nutrition team, providing nutrition care to general medicine and eating disorder patients. Grace graduated from La Trobe University with a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics and has worked across a range of clinical areas, including inpatient and outpatient care. Grace is passionate about creating a nurturing environment for early career dietitians through promoting collaboration and places high value on building relationships.
Abstract:
Background:
General medicine is a demanding and dynamic area in acute hospitals, providing care to patients with complex multi-system disorders. The general medicine clinical nutrition team at a quaternary hospital supports a rotating program for Early Career Dietitians (ECD).
Methodology:
A General Medicine Nutrition Round (GMNR) was implemented weekly, where nutrition care was discussed by ECD and senior dietitians to facilitate peer led learning and support. Pre-post surveys were completed by ECD at the beginning and end of their rotation to assess perceived clinical knowledge and confidence managing complex medical patients using a continuous scale. How comfortable ECD felt advocating to the broader multidisciplinary team (MDT) regarding nutrition plans was assessed using a Likert scale, with 1 representing ‘uncomfortable’ and 5 representing ‘very comfortable’. Any changes to nutrition interventions following GMNR discussions were also recorded.
Results:
Over 12 months, a GMNR was completed 28 times, where ninety-two individual patients were discussed and reviewed. ECD completed 10 pre-surveys and 9 post surveys. Perceived confidence increased by 16% in post-survey responses and perceived clinical knowledge increased by 30%. Median rating of how comfortable ECD reported they were in advocating to the MDT at the beginning of their general medicine rotation was 3.5 [2.5-4] compared to 4.5 [4-5] post-rotation. As a result of the GMNR discussions, nutrition interventions changed for 70 (76%) patients.
Conclusion:
The GMNR promoted peer led and team-based discussion of nutrition interventions for inpatients. This helped to improve confidence and clinical knowledge for ECD and also optimised nutrition management plans.