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. 2022 May 1;74(5):662-667.
doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003376. Epub 2022 Feb 8.

Training in Paediatric Clinical Nutrition Across Europe: A Survey of the National Societies Network (2016-2019) of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Alexandra Papadopoulou  1 , Carmen Ribes-Koninckx  2 , Alastair Baker  3 , Maria Noni  1 , Eleni Koutri  1 , Maria-Vasiliki Karagianni  1 , Sue Protheroe  4 , Alfredo Guarino  5 , Emmanuel Mas  6 , Michael Wilschanski  7 , Enriqueta Roman  8 , Johanna Escher  9 , Raoul I Furlano  10 , Carsten Posovszky  11 , Ilse Hoffman  12 , Gabor Veres  13 , Jiri Bronsky  14 , Almuthe Christine Hauer  15 , Duska Tjesic-Drinkovic  16 , Maria Fotoulaki  17 , Rok Orel  18 , Vaidotas Urbonas  19 , Aydan Kansu  20 , Miglena Georgieva  21 , Berthold Koletzko  22
Affiliations

Training in Paediatric Clinical Nutrition Across Europe: A Survey of the National Societies Network (2016-2019) of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Alexandra Papadopoulou et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. .

Abstract

Objectives/background: Disease-related malnutrition is common in patients with chronic diseases and has detrimental effects, therefore, skills in nutrition care are essential core competencies for paediatric digestive medicine. The aim of this survey, conducted as part of a global survey of paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition (PGHN) training in Europe, was to assess nutrition care-related infrastructure, staff, and patient volumes in European PGHN training centres.

Methods: Standardized questionnaires related to clinical nutrition (CN) care were completed by representatives of European PGHN training centres between June 2016 and December 2019.

Results: One hundred training centres from 17 European countries, Turkey, and Israel participated in the survey. Dedicated CN clinics exist in 66% of the centres, with fulltime and part-time CN specialists in 66% and 42%, respectively. Home tube feeding (HTF) andhome parenteral nutrition (HPN) programmes are in place in 95% and 77% of centres, respectively. Twenty-four percent of centres do not have a dedicated dietitian and 55% do not have a dedicated pharmacist attached to the training centre. Even the largest centres with >5000 outpatients reported that 25% and 50%, respectively do not have a dedicated dietitian or pharmacist. Low patient numbers on HTF and HPN of <5 annually are reported by 13% and 43% of centres, respectively.

Conclusions: The survey shows clear differences and deficits in Clinical Nutrition training infrastructure, including staff and patient volumes, in European PGHN training centres, leading to large differences and limitations in training opportunities in Clinical Nutrition.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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