Development and Feasibility Assessment of a Nutrition Screening Guideline in Older Patients for Use by Healthcare Staff in Health Clinic Setting: An Action Research Study
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.1.8
- Author:
Siti Nur Amirah Sheikh Hishamuddin
1
;
Aliza Haslinda Hamirudin
1
;
Sakinah Harith
2
;
Mohd Aznan Md Aris
3
;
Karimah Hanim Abd Aziz
4
;
Nurul Syaireen A Rashid
5
Author Information
1. Department of Nutrition Sciences, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
2. School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
3. Department of Family Medicine, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
4. Department of Community Medicine, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
5. Primary Health Care Unit, Pahang Health State Department, Jalan IM 4, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25582 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Older persons, Health clinics, Healthcare staff, Malnutrition, Nutrition screening
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.1):46-56
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Older persons are more susceptible to malnutrition. However, malnutrition identification through
nutrition screening is not routinely performed in Malaysia’s health clinics due to no specific nutrition screening
guideline and validated tool in this setting. This study aimed to develop a nutrition screening guideline for older patients and assess its feasibility for use by healthcare staff in health clinic setting. Methods: This study was conducted
in three phases. In Phase I, needs assessment was conducted amongst healthcare staff. Development of nutrition
screening guideline in Phase II involved scoping review and validation amongst six experts and twelve healthcare
staff. In Phase III, twenty-two healthcare staff participated in feasibility assessment using in-depth interviews after
completing nutrition screening in older patients. Interview data was analysed thematically using NVivo Software
12.0. Results: A Malay language version of nutrition screening guideline in A4-sized with 31 pages was developed
and validated. Items with a content validity index ≥0.83 from experts review were retained, while <0.83 were revised
accordingly. Validation amongst healthcare staff showed positive responses. The guideline was then assessed for
feasibility, where 110 older patients (mean age= 68.7±6.1 years) were screened by healthcare staff using the newly
developed nutrition screening guideline. Four themes emerged from in-depth interviews: 1) Ease of use; 2) Identification and management of malnutrition; 3) Acceptability; and 4) Implementation of nutrition screening. Conclusion:
The newly developed and validated nutrition screening guideline is well-accepted and feasible for healthcare staff to
screen older patients in health clinic setting for timely malnutrition identification and management.
- Full text:11.2023my1408.pdf
