Oral nutritional supplements in clinical nutrition: Insights into healthcare professionals' knowledge and practices.

A majority of healthcare professionals answered incorrectly on 8 of 22 knowledge items about oral nutritional supplements.

• A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between November 25 and December 26, 2022, using the SurveyMonkey platform.
• The questionnaire included 22 multiple-choice items derived from the KEPAN ONS consensus guideline.
• Items addressed indication, administration, monitoring, and discontinuation of ONS in different clinical conditions.
• 8 of 22 items were answered incorrectly by more than half of participants.

Knowledge gaps were most pronounced in ONS use for chronic kidney disease, neurological disorders, dysphagia, geriatric nutrition, general indications, and diabetes.

• Chronic kidney disease had the highest incorrect response rate at 86.20%.
• Neurological disorders had an incorrect response rate of 80.20%.
• Dysphagia had an incorrect response rate of 78.50%.
• Geriatric nutrition had an incorrect response rate of 73.2%, general indications 72.22%, and diabetes 68.80%.

A total of 277 healthcare professionals participated in the survey, predominantly dietitians and physicians.

• 277 HCPs participated in total.
• Dietitians comprised 48.3% of respondents.
• Physicians comprised 37.2% of respondents.
• Most respondents were working in metropolitan hospitals.
• Other participants included nurses and pharmacists.

While some knowledge questions were answered correctly by the majority of participants, a substantial proportion of items revealed widespread knowledge deficits.

• Some questions were answered correctly by the majority of respondents.
• However, 8 out of 22 items were answered incorrectly by more than half of all participants.
• Knowledge gaps were particularly pronounced in specialized clinical areas including geriatrics and neurology.
• The survey was distributed via professional networks and KEPAN's communication channels.

The findings underscore the need for structured, interdisciplinary, and practice-oriented education in clinical nutrition.

• Authors concluded that tailored training, curriculum integration, and collaboration between national and international nutrition societies are essential.
• The study was based on evidence-based recommendations from the Turkish Clinical Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Society (KEPAN).
• The authors identified malnutrition as 'a widespread clinical challenge with significant consequences on morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization.'
• Nutritional interventions are described as 'often hindered by knowledge gaps among healthcare professionals.'