P955 - USE OF ORAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS IN GREECE: EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS ON THEIR USE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

P955

USE OF ORAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS IN GREECE: EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS ON THEIR USE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

K. Nikolakopoulou^1,*, M. Chourdakis¹, O. Androutsos², G. Bahat³, E. Pinar³, T. Erdogan³, O. Abbasoglu⁴, K. A. Poulia⁵

¹Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, ²Laboratory of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece, ³Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics Istanbul, Istanbul, ⁴Clinical Nutrition Master's Program, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye, ⁵Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece

Rationale: Early identification and treatment of malnutrition improves clinical outcomes, but insufficient knowledge among health care professionals (HCPs) on nutritional support has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to examine the level of knowledge of HCPs on the use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in clinical practice.

Methods: An online survey was conducted with the use of a validated questionnaire consisting of 33 questions (11 on demographics and 22 on the use of ONS). HCPs with a recognized degree and professional license, working in the Greece were included in the study.

Results: 159 HCPs (49.1% dietitians-nutritionists, 32.7% physicians, 15.7% nurses and 2.5% pharmacists; 66.0% women; mean age: 40.51 ± 9.46 years) were included in the study. The mean number of correct answers on the use of ONS was 11.47 ± 3.01. The lowest success rates were recorded for questions relating to pressure ulcers (8.2%), hip fracture surgery (13.2%), chronic kidney disease (15.1%) and older adults (24.5%). Based on the correct answers, two groups were formulated, using 10 as a cutt-off based on the mean score of each group of HPCs. Significant differences identified between the two groups were age (p=0.007), occupation (p<0.001), working in the academic field (p=0.045), years of professional experience (p=0.012), and focus on clinical nutrition (p<0.001). Logistic regression models showed a negative association between high overall score of the questionnaire and younger age (<40 years), the role as nurse, limited working experience (6-10 years), and lack of interest and/or experience in clinical nutrition (Table 1).

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Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, there is a need to improve education on nutrition support, especially for younger HCPs, those with limited working experience, as well as nurses.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared