NAVIGATING MALNUTRITION IN CANCER CARE:A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/edy70s68Keywords:
Malnutrition, cancer care, nutritional assessment, cancer cachexia, healthcare barriers, telehealth, multidisciplinary care.Abstract
Introduction: Cancer care faces a critical problem with malnutrition since it affects both treatment success and recovery outcomes along with whitifies patients' living quality. Malnutrition remains an important medical concern that healthcare professionals frequently overlook during diagnosis while ineffective treatment recovery outcomes persist because of inadequate attention. This research explores how healthcare professionals alongside caregivers and those in healthcare education understand and practice malnutrition management by identifying existing difficulties and opportunities for development.
Method: A total of 130 participants completed the structured questionnaire within the framework of a descriptive cross- sectional study. The questionnaire assessed six key areas : The research examines general awareness levels combined with cause- and- risk factor investigation, screening-and-assessment capabilities, intervention strategies, and care limitations, along with proposed future developments. Researchers chose participants who met all the selection requirements which consisted of being 18 years or older engaged with cancer care and willing to take part in the study. Online submissions and physical submission platforms were combined for data collection while descriptive statistics worked alongside thematic analysis during the analysis phase.
Results: The research showed patients displayed a fair understanding of malnutrition problems that occur in cancer care. The majority of participants (74%) acknowledged the significance of nutritional interventions but showed an incomplete understanding of complex cases involving cancer cachexia and extensive screening techniques. About one-quarter (48%) of respondents pointed toward financial challenges as the main barriers and almost half indicated patient pushback (36%) as a significant obstacle. Although facing several challenges participants identified telehealth and AI (52%) as promising technological tools for strengthening nutritional care practice.
Study Goal: This research investigated knowledge levels behavior patterns and attitudes among healthcare professionals regarding cancer care-associated malnutrition while pursuing potential intervention opportunities. The research investigated patient viewpoints because it sought to help create better nutritional strategies that focus on patient needs in oncology treatment. Conclusion: The research demonstrates cancer care must receive increased training alongside dedicated funding to solve malnutrition problems. The existing foundational knowledge in this field is insufficient to cover essential gaps between evidence- based screening approaches and organizational strategies for intervention. The success of patient outcomes together with quality of life improvements depend on breakthroughs that overcome existing systemic obstacles while applying innovative technological approaches.
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