'We work in silos': Exploring clinicians' perspectives on the dietary management of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes in an Australian public hospital and community health service

Hannah L. Mayr*, Holly Savill, Lynette Law, Katrina L. Campbell, Jan Hill, Michelle Palmer, Ingrid J. Hickman, Jaimon T. Kelly

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims: This study explored clinicians' perspectives on roles, practices and service delivery in the dietary management of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes in a public health service. 

Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 57 clinicians (21 nurses, 19 doctors, 13 dietitians and 4 physiotherapists) involved in the care of relevant patients across hospital and post-acute community settings in a metropolitan health service in Australia. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. 

Results: A total of 3 themes with 10 subthemes were identified. (a) 'Treatment prioritisation': important role of nutrition in risk factor management; competing priorities with complex patients; weight loss as a priority; and dietitians individualise. (b) 'Diverse roles in providing diet advice': a tension between nutrients, restrictions and diet quality; patients seek and trust advice from non-dietitians; and providing nutrition information materials crosses professions. (c) 'Dietitian access': variable integration and resourcing; access governed by clinician discretion and perceived patient interest; and bespoke application of referral pathways. 

Conclusions: Time and resource constraints, variable access and referral to dietitians, and inconsistent advice were key challenges in the dietary management of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Models of care may be improved with greater investment and integration of dietitians, including to provide professional support across disciplines and disease specialties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)307-319
Number of pages13
JournalNutrition and Dietetics
Volume80
Issue number3
Early online date11 Dec 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

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