P330 - CLINICIAN PERSPECTIVES ON PARENTERAL NUTRITION (PN) IN ADVANCED CANCER: IMPACT OF EXPERIENCE AND SERVICE DESIGN

P330

CLINICIAN PERSPECTIVES ON PARENTERAL NUTRITION (PN) IN ADVANCED CANCER: IMPACT OF EXPERIENCE AND SERVICE DESIGN

J. Baker^1,*, A. J. Gifford¹, S. J. White¹

¹School of Allied Health Professions & Pharmacy, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom

Rationale: Clinician views on whether palliative parenteral nutrition (PPN) is acceptable for advanced cancer patients aren't well-understood, understanding these views is key for better decisions and patient care.

Methods: A qualitative study in North-West UK hospitals (April-December 2023) explored healthcare professionals' views on PPN. Semi-structured online interviews, informed by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA)¹, were conducted with participants grouped by home PN experience. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using the Framework Method², with TFA constructs as analytical domains. Ethical approval was obtained from the Keele University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee.

Results: Clinician acceptability of PPN differed based on their experience, ethical views, and how home PN services were set up. Clinicians in district general hospitals often saw PN as a temporary step, not a comfort measure, partly because patients with limited time needed transferring to access home PN, extending their hospital stay. In contrast, clinicians at centres unable to provide home PN but with nutrition teams were more positive. These centres, with better links to specialist intestinal failure units, had either facilitated PPN before or were more open to referral.

Conclusion: Clinician acceptance of PPN depends on experience, ethics, and service organisation. Resolving logistical issues and improving communication between hospitals and specialist centres could lead to more consistent decisions and better access to PPN when needed.

References:         1. Sekhon M, Cartwright M, Francis JJ. Acceptability of healthcare interventions: an overview of reviews and development of a theoretical framework. BMC Health Serv Res. 2017;17(1):88.

        2. Gale NK, et al. Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2013;13:117.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared