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. 2021 Jan 16:8:2374373520981476.
doi: 10.1177/2374373520981476. eCollection 2021.

Evaluation of a Multidisciplinary Cachexia and Nutrition Support Service- The Patient and Carers Perspective

Vanessa C Vaughan  1 , Meg Harrison  1   2   3 , Anna Dowd  3 , Peter Eastman  1   2   3 , Peter Martin  1   2
Affiliations

Evaluation of a Multidisciplinary Cachexia and Nutrition Support Service- The Patient and Carers Perspective

Vanessa C Vaughan et al. J Patient Exp. .

Abstract

The Barwon Health Cachexia & Nutrition Support Service (CNSS) is an outpatient service focused on improving clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients with or at high risk of cancer cachexia. Patients see a multidisciplinary team, comprising a palliative medicine physician, physiotherapist, dietitian, and nurse practitioner. This study evaluated the service from patient and carer perspectives. In 2016/17, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 patients and 9 carers attending the service, focusing on: (1) reflection on experience of the CNSS, and (2) describing how a cachexia-specific service can meet their needs and concerns. Analysis generated 4 superordinate themes: evolving perception of service value, empowerment through person-centered care, communication to patients and carers regarding health/disease information, and the importance of the multidisciplinary team-based approach. Generally, patients and carers reported overall positive experiences with the service, particularly with regard to improved communication and management of the patient. Findings confirmed the patient-centered and individualized approaches were particularly valued. These insights are a critical step in the development of recommendations for future clinical management of cancer cachexia.

Keywords: allied health; cancer cachexia; multidisciplinary care; patient-centered care; quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration on Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: There may be a conflict of interest from Peter Martin and Meg Harrison, who are both clinicians in the Cachexia & Nutrition Support Service. Removed from Methods section- Approved by the Barwon Health Human Research Ethics Committee (Reference BH-15.202) and the word Barwon Health from manuscript.

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