Authors
- Tihana Gaspert, University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna Ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; University Hospital Rijeka, Department of Nursing Care, Krešimirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
- Luigi Apuzzo, Health Workforce Needs, Standards, and Organizational Models of Health Professions, Italian National Agency for Regionals Healthcare System (AGENAS), Rome, Italy; International University of Medical Science, UniCamillus, Rome, Italy
- Stavroula Chante, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton Road, WV10 0QP, United Kingdom; Oxford Brookes University, Headington Road, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Ber Oomen, European Specialist Nurses Organisation (ESNO), Brussels, Belgium
- Josefine Declaye, SMILE Simulation Center, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate 13, 4000 Liège, Belgium; European Specialist Nurses Organisation (ESNO), Brussels, Belgium
- Elena Brioni, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Internal Medicine, Milan, Italy
- Vedrana Vejzovic, Malmö University, Faculty of Health and Society, Department of Care Science, Malmö, Sweden
DOI
https://doi.org/10.65241/wh.8.1.5
Article type:
Original Scientific Paper
Abstract:
Background:
Nurses play a vital role in educating patients about health and nutrition, empowering them to make informed dietary choices. This study aimed to develop a questionnaire to assess European nurses’ knowledge and awareness of nutrition and malnutrition, particularly in relation to oncology and vulnerable patient populations.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey design was employed between February to April 2025. A structured questionnaire was developed based on existing frameworks and distributed to registered nurses across various European countries. Participants were recruited using a stratified random sampling approach to ensure diversity in geographical location, hospital size, and professional experience. The questionnaire assessed nurses’ education and training, clinical practices, collaboration with other professionals, sources of information, perceived barriers, and suggestions for improvement. Descriptive analyses were performed, reporting absolute frequencies, percentages, and means.
Results:
A total of 98 nurses participated in the survey. The majority recognized nutrition as a vital component of patient care, with 91% acknowledging awareness of the nutritional challenges faced by patients. Despite this, only 48% reported routinely screening for malnutrition, and the use of validated screening tools was inconsistent. While 83% of respondents felt familiar with dietary requirements, just 47% had received formal training in nutritional interventions. Reported barriers to effective nutritional care included lack of time, limited professional autonomy, and inconsistent or conflicting sources of information. Participants expressed a strong interest in further education, particularly in specialized areas such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding, nutrition in dementia care, and food labeling.
Conclusions:
The findings highlight a clear need for standardized, accessible nutrition education for nurses across Europe. Limitations include the small, highly educated, and self-selected sample, which may limit generalizability. Findings highlight the need for standardized nutrition education, institutional support, and enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration. Enhancing nurses’ competencies through targeted training, institutional support, and interprofessional collaboration can significantly improve the delivery of nutritional care, particularly for oncology patients and other vulnerable populations.
Keywords:
Nursing, nutrition, malnutrition, oncology, patient care, professional development, screening, Europe.