A qualitative exploration of dietitians' experiences of prescribing oral nutritional supplements to patients with malnutrition : A focus on shared tailoring and behaviour change support

Background: Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are commonly prescribed to patients with malnutrition. Dietitians have been suggested as preferred prescribers butgenerally lack ONS prescribing rights. How dietitians with prescribing rights experience their professional practice of prescribing ONS remains understudied. Thus, byexploring dietitians’ experiences of prescribing ONS, the present study aimed to obtain a deeper understanding of specific aspects that are of importance for dietitianswhen providing a nutrition therapy including ONS. Methods: Qualitative individual interviews were conducted with 13 dietitians prescribing ONS to free-living adult outpatients with malnutrition or at nutritional riskin the hospital or primary care setting. Systematic text condensation was used fordata analysis. Results: Two main categories signifying important aspects were identified and labelled: ‘Shared tailoring of the ONS prescription’ and ‘Supporting and facilitatingONS use’. First, the dietitians described tailoring the ONS prescription together withthe patient, having their acceptance as a prerequisite, and being flexible regardingproducts and amounts prescribed. Second, they described performing different communication strategies and organising of practical issues (e.g., ONS delivery and support from others) to support and facilitate patients’ ONS usage. Conclusions: The present study identifies patient involvement and the role of dietitians as behaviour change facilitators as two important aspects when dietitiansprescribe ONS. These findings allow for dietitians’ ideals and strategies on how toprescribe ONS to be made more visible, which can inform both clinical practice andclinical trials for future improvements in nutrition therapy to address malnutrition