ReCOV: recovery and rehabilitation during and after COVID-19 - a study protocol of a longitudinal observational study on patients, next of kin and health care staff

BACKGROUND

The knowledge of the long-term consequences of covid-19 is limited. In patients, symptoms such as fatigue, decreased physical, psychological, and cognitive function, and nutritional problems have been reported. How the disease has affected next of kin, as well as staff involved in the care of patients with covid-19, is also largely unknown. The overall aim of this study is therefore three-fold: (1) to describe and evaluate predictors of patient recovery, the type of rehabilitation received and patients' experiences of specialized rehabilitation following COVID-19 infection; (2) to study how next of kin experienced the hospital care of their relative and their experiences of the psychosocial support they received as well as their psychological wellbeing; (3) to describe experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19 and evaluate psychological wellbeing, coping mechanisms and predictors for development of psychological distress over time in health care staff.

METHODS

This observational longitudinal study consists of three cohorts; patients, next of kin, and health care staff. The assessments for the patients consist of physical tests (lung function, muscle strength, physical capacity) and questionnaires (communication and swallowing, nutritional status, hearing, activities of daily living, physical activity, fatigue, cognition) longitudinally at 3, 6 and 12 months. Patient records auditing (care, rehabilitation) will be done retrospectively at 12 months. Patients (3, 6 and 12 months), next of kin (6 months) and health care staff (baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months) will receive questionnaires regarding, health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders, and post-traumatic stress. Staff will also answer questionnaires about burnout and coping strategies. Interviews will be conducted in all three cohorts.

DISCUSSION

This study will be able to answer different research questions from a quantitative and qualitative perspective, by describing and evaluating long-term consequences and their associations with recovery, as well as exploring patients', next of kins' and staffs' views and experiences of the disease and its consequences. This will form a base for a deeper and better understanding of the consequences of the disease from different perspectives as well as helping the society to better prepare for a future pandemic.

Barriers and enablers in the implementation of a standardised process for nutrition care: findings from a multinational survey of dietetic professionals in 10 countries

BACKGROUND

To explore the barriers and enablers experienced by nutrition and dietetic professionals in the implementation of the standardised Nutrition Care Process (NCP) across 10 different countries. NCP related beliefs, motivations and values were investigated and compared.

METHODS

A validated online survey was disseminated to nutrition and dietetics professionals in 10 countries in the local language during 2017. Cross-sectional associations and differences between countries were explored for level of implementation, barriers/enablers and attitudes/motivation among the respondents.

RESULTS

Higher NCP implementation was associated with greater occurrence of enabling aspects, as well as fewer occurrences of barriers. The most common enabler was 'recommendation by the national dietetic association' (69%) and the most common barrier was 'lack of time' (39%). A longer experience of NCP use was associated with a more positive attitude towards all NCP aspects. Differences between countries were identified, regarding both the occurrence of barriers/enablers and attitudes/motivations.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation efforts need to be tailored to country-specific contexts when implementing a new standard of care framework among nutrition and dietetic professionals. Additional research is needed to further assess the management and workplace strategies to support the development of nutrition and dietetics professionals in multidisciplinary healthcare organisations.

Evaluation of a Continuing Educational Intervention for Primary Health Care Professionals about Nutritional Care of Patients at Home

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the effectiveness of a continuing educational intervention on primary health care professionals' familiarity with information important to nutritional care in a palliative phase, their collaboration with other caregivers, and their level of knowledge about important aspects of nutritional care.

DESIGN

Observational cohort study.

SETTING

10 primary health care centers in Stockholm County, Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

140 district nurses/registered nurses and general practitioners/physicians working with home care.

INTERVENTION

87 professionals participated in the intervention group (IG) and 53 in the control group (CG). The intervention consisted of a web-based program offering factual knowledge; a practical exercise linking existing and new knowledge, abilities, and skills; and a case seminar facilitating reflection.

MEASUREMENTS

The intervention's effects were measured by a computer-based study-specific questionnaire before and after the intervention, which took approximately 1 month. The CG completed the questionnaire twice (1 month between response occasions). The intervention effects, odds ratios, were estimated by an ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS

In the intra-group analyses, statistically significant changes occurred in the IG's responses to 28 of 32 items and the CG's responses to 4 of 32 items. In the inter-group analyses, statistically significant effects occurred in 20 of 32 statements: all 14 statements that assessed familiarity with important concepts and all 4 statements about collaboration with other caregivers but only 2 of the 14 statements concerning level of knowledge. The intervention effect varied between 2.5 and 12.0.

CONCLUSION

The intervention was effective in increasing familiarity with information important to nutritional care in a palliative phase and collaboration with other caregivers, both of which may create prerequisites for better nutritional care. However, the intervention needs to be revised to better increase the professionals' level of knowledge about important aspects of nutritional care.

The use of artificial nutrition among cancer patients enrolled in palliative home care services

In this study, patients' views and experiences of using home artificial nutrition, and factors associated with use of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) were investigated. Structured telephone interviews with 620 cancer patients enrolled in 21 palliative home care services were analysed. HPN was more common (11%) than home enteral tube feeding (HETF, 3%). Home artificial nutrition (including HPN and HETF) was usually introduced more than four months before death. Three of four HPN recipients also had oral food intake. HPN use was associated with eating difficulties, nausea/vomiting, and fatigue rather than gastrointestinal problems per se. HETF was generally used for patients with problems related to oesophagus and head and neck tumours. In conclusion the results suggest that, contrary to existing guidelines, HPN is used to supplement oral intake, and not only for patients with a non-functioning gastrointestinal tract.