Dr Andrea Elliott1,2, Kia Noble3, Prof Daphne Flynn4, Prof Judy Bauer1, Prof Simone Gibson1,5
1Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Notting Hill, Australia, 2Allied Health, Alfred Health, Prahran, Australia, 3Population Health, Alfred Health, Prahran, Australia, 4Monash Art, Design & Architecture, Monash University, Caulfield, Australia, 5Monash Centre for Scholarship in Health Education, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
Biography:
Andrea Elliott is the Deputy Director Allied Health at Alfred Health, a quaternary/tertiary health service in Melbourne, Australia. She has a passion for workforce re-design and exploration of models of care that are responsive to client need. She recently completed a PhD using design research to explore nutrition care for people living with obesity in the acute care setting.
Abstract:
Recent studies show a high prevalence of obesity in hospital populations; best practice evidence indicates that people living with obesity should receive dietetic advice. However, patients often do not receive this care in acute settings. Understanding the experiences of people living with obesity is crucial to designing successful strategies for management.
Aims:
This qualitative study aimed to 1) understand the experience of nutrition care for patients living with obesity in the acute hospital setting 2) redesign an optimised patient journey using a design approach.
Methods:
In this qualitative study patient journey mapping was used to explore the nutrition care of patients living with obesity in acute care and a lived experience perspective was applied to the care journey. A co-creation session was conducted with dietitians and consumer to redesign the patient journey.
Key findings:
Maps identified that discussions about weight were absent from the care journey from all health professionals; dietetic care was focused on acute nutrition issues. A re-orientated nutrition care journey was co-created including a conversation tool to engage in patient clinician conversations about obesity related care that will be a useful training aid. The redesign of the nutrition care journey identified pivot points in the pathway to support engagement in obesity related care.
Conclusion:
The findings from this study provide new insights into current nutrition care for people living with obesity in the acute setting. These findings can inform future education, research, and advocacy for practice changes to improve dietetic care for people living with obesity.