The positive impact of nutritional care in healthcare has been reported and evidenced extensively. Nutritional interventions and nutritional counselling improve clinical outcomes, enhance quality of life and increase survival of patients. Well nourished patients have lower infection rates and shorter hospital stays compared to malnourished patients.

Importantly, HCPs’ and patients’ awareness on nutritional care must increase in order to ensure these health benefits. The findings from the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) study clearly indicate that patients need to be better informed on nutritional care. The study concerned cancer patients and survivors in 10 European countries including Greece and showed the following:

Even though almost all patients (97% in total and in Greece) acknowledged the importance of adequate nutrition during cancer therapy, more than a third were not informed on the available options for improving nutritional intake (37% total, 40% Greece).

Weight loss was reported by most patients, (70% total, 63% Greece), but the vast majority had not received any information on cachexia from their healthcare providers (92% total, 86% Greece).

Only 35% of total patients and 22% of Greek patients had their weight checked regularly, while more than half of patients (63% total, 54% Greece) did not receive any advice to improve appetite and allow for adequate nutrition.

It is crucial that patients are provided by physicians and other stakeholders with the necessary information concerning their nutritional needs and the effectiveness of nutritional care in cancer and other diseases. This enables and empowers them to manage their own nutrition and their own health but also to urge for nutritional care.

Empowered and informed patients become experts of their own health. They also contribute to more optimal, patient-centered healthcare systems and health policies.

Well educated patients can participate in the decisions concerning their own care. They can ensure higher treatment adherence and reduced hospitalizations when taking responsibility of their own health.

Patients experience the whole patient journey and therefore are well positioned to provide insights on healthcare service gaps or inefficiencies. Moreover, patient associations represent patient groups and diseases bringing a broader perspective and can therefore advocate for better policies.

A structured educational program for patients provided by patient organizations, or NGOs, or medical societies, or stakeholder alliances can have a decisive role in patient empowerment. Informed and educated patients can advocate for access to nutritional support and solutions, improving health and quality of life.

The key areas that need to be addressed are the following:

• Education on health and nutrition to support self-care and informed decision-making
• Awareness on the need and beneficial impact of nutritional screening and nutrition counselling
• Guidance on which parameters to self-monitor like weight loss and reduced food intake and when to seek nutritional support
• Involvement in development of nutrition guidelines to ensure clear understanding and adherence
• Activation for participation in research regarding nutritional interventions for disease management
• Training in advocacy in order to strengthen patients’ voice in nutrition care services and policies

References

• Muscaritoli M. et al. Nutritional and metabolic derangements in Mediterranean cancer patients and survivors: the ECPC 2016 survey. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 2019; 10: 517–525
• European Patients Forum. Toolkit for Patient Organisations on Patient Empowerment. December 2017

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