Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38743744›Full record

ArticlePloS one2024

Exploring dietitians' practice and perspectives on the role of dietary patterns during cancer treatment: A qualitative study.

Annie R Curtis, Nicole Kiss, Katherine M Livingstone, Robin M Daly, Anna Ugalde

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Clinical Use and Application of Neutropenic Diets for Patients With Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Dietitians in Australian Hospitals.Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association · 2026
    Article
  2. Observational
  3. Dietitians' practices and perspectives of the delivery of nutritional care to cancer survivors in the primary care setting.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Annie R CurtisInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-3070-9961
Nicole KissInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
Katherine M LivingstoneInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
Robin M DalyInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
Anna UgaldeSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDietitians are nutrition professionals equipped with specialised skills required to prevent and treat malnutrition in cancer. Optimisation of dietary intake is recommended as the primary nutrition strategy for the treatment of cancer-related malnutrition. However, it is unclear whether dietary patterns, described as the combination, quantity, and frequency of food consumption, are considered. This study examined dietitians' current food-based management of malnutrition; explored dietitians' awareness of dietary patterns and assessed barriers and enablers to the use of dietary patterns in clinical practice.

methodsThis qualitative study consisted of semi-structured interviews with oncology dietitians. Dietitians were recruited through national nutrition societies, social media, and professional networks. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

resultsFourteen oncology dietitians from across four Australian states and territories participated. Three themes were identified: (i) principles to guide nutritional care, (ii) dietary patterns as a gap in knowledge and practice, and (iii) opportunities for better care with systems as both a barrier and enabler. Dietetic practice was food-focussed, encouraging energy and protein-rich foods consistent with nutrient-focussed evidence-based guidelines. Dietitians encouraged one of two nutrition-related approaches, either encouraging intake of 'any tolerated food' or 'foods supportive on longer-term health'. Dietitians were generally unaware of dietary patterns and questioned their relevance in certain clinical situations. A multidisciplinary team approach, adequate food service and dissemination of dietary patterns research and education were identified as opportunities for better patient care.

conclusionsRecommendations for the treatment of malnutrition vary between oncology dietitians and uncertainty exists regarding dietary patterns and their relevance in clinical practice. Further exploration into the role of dietary patterns to treat cancer-related malnutrition and education for dietitians are required prior to implementation of a dietary patterns approach into clinical practice.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsNutritionistsQualitative ResearchAdultAustraliaDietDieteticsFemaleHumansMaleMalnutritionMiddle Aged

Identifiers

PMID38743744
PMCPMC11093385

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.