Nutrition support in oncology care in Aotearoa New Zealand: current practice, and where to from here?

AIM: This research sought to identify and understand what nutrition-related information and support is available to people undergoing cancer treatment. We also sought the views on nutrition for cancer among providers of cancer care/support, and barriers/enablers to the provision of nutrition information/support. METHOD: Data were collected using online surveys with New Zealand-based healthcare practitioners and support workers. Descriptive analysis was undertaken. Open-ended questions were analysed for explanatory content to help us interpret and understand the results. RESULTS: Most healthcare practitioners and support workers viewed nutrition as at least moderately important (for cancer recovery, patient wellbeing and preventing cancer recurrence) and believed nutrition information/support should be provided to cancer patients. However, nutrition information and support were not widely available through oncology practices and cancer support services. The main barriers to the provision of nutrition information and support (including access to dietitian appointments) were insufficient funding and lack of time/staff capacity. Additional barriers included a lack of access to evidencebased information and dietary expertise. CONCLUSION: Nutrition information and support needs to be more widely available and standardised across New Zealand's oncology services. Ideally this would include general introductory information about nutrition (eg, World Cancer Research Fund recommendations) from all healthcare practitioners and more detailed tailored advice (and ongoing support where needed) from dietitians.

Automated summary

This research aimed to understand the availability of nutrition-related information and support for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. The study found that most healthcare practitioners and support workers considered nutrition to be moderately important for cancer recovery, patient wellbeing, and preventing cancer recurrence. However, they also noted that nutrition information and support were not widely available through oncology practices and cancer support services. The main barriers identified were insufficient funding, lack of time and staff capacity, and limited access to evidence-based information and dietary expertise.