A necessary evil? Patients' experiences with tube feeding in acute care

Abstract

Tube feeding (TF) for adults admitted to acute care is frequently prescribed for managing malnutrition, yet little is known about patients' experiences receiving this therapy, including their information and support needs. Based on an Interpretive Description approach, 12 unstructured interviews were conducted with participants admitted to acute care hospitals in Canada. Findings revealed variations in participants’ perceptions about the NECESSITY for TF and the DISCOMFORT resulting from this therapy that were influenced by the inter-related themes: a) the additional Meaning of TF, b) the Trust held in Dietitians and Health Care Providers, and c) participant Resilience. Collectively, these findings are subsumed within a central theme phrased as a question about the experience of TF as: A NECESSARY EVIL? Participants’ answers to this question influenced their engagement throughout TF therapy. The range of responses and the complexity of patients’ experiences during TF necessitate that Dietitians be supportive and flexible, applying a patient-centered approach to care.