Aims: Multiple evidence-based guidelines exist relating to nutrition and cancer care. However, there is a lack of resources for patients, carers and health professionals that practically guide the provision of optimal nutrition care. The aim of this study was to develop a cancer nutrition care pathway to guide and improve the provision of consistent and evidence-based nutritional care of patients throughout the cancer care continuum.
Methods: This experienced-based co-design study, conducted in Victoria, utilised a mixed-method design including quantitative and qualitative methods. A survey and focus groups were conducted with patients/carers in addition to co-design workshops and key stakeholder consultation with patients, carers and multidisciplinary cancer health professionals.
Results: Of 165 patient/carer survey respondents, only 51% (n=84) reported they talked to a health professional about nutrition at any time during their cancer care, despite the majority (84%) feeling nutrition was important at one or more time points. Support received for nutrition care was rated low by patients/carers. Five focus groups were held (n=20; 16 patients, 4 carers) and 6 major themes emerged including information, control (over what/when to eat), value of nutrition, networks/connections (importance of), support (from family/friends, dietitians/health professionals) and solutions (for optimal care). Two co-design workshops were held and a subsequent key stakeholder feedback period completed with patients, carers and health professionals to design a pathway defining optimal cancer nutrition care. This pathway combines evidence-based practice tips and patient/carer needs into a centralised suite of resources, tools and clinical guidance to enable the delivery of high-quality nutrition care in clinical practice.
Conclusions: The cancer nutrition care pathway was co-designed by patients, carers and health professionals. This resource is now freely available to support patients, carers and health professionals to enable optimal care to be met and implemented within cancer care.