The negative impact of malnutrition on patient outcomes and health care costs is well established. In 2012 a point prevalence study completed within the adult oncology population across 15 Victorian Health Services in 2012 determined 57% of inpatients, 32% of patients receiving chemotherapy, and 39% of patients receiving chemo-radiation were malnourished.
One of the key recommendations from this study was that ‘Health services should have resources available to multidisciplinary clinicians and cancer patients to improve awareness, recognition and understanding of malnutrition’. In order to provide education to a large number of clinicians, across different disciplines and geographical locations, an e-learning package was determined to be the optimal strategy.
The project aims to increase knowledge/learning for all cancer care clinicians, provide accurate and evidence-based information on cancer malnutrition, efficient use of resources/reduction of duplication in a resource that can be used by all health services, consistency of information/education provided in cancer-malnutrition care, promote recognition of the importance of early intervention and patient management.
Four unique and discipline specific packages (with six learning modules in each) have been developed for doctors, nurses, allied health, community general practitioners and practice nurses. The interactive learning modules provide an opportunity for active learning regarding malnutrition in oncology, nutritional implications of cancer and cancer therapies, malnutrition risk screening, nutrition intervention and multidisciplinary team involvement. A range of case studies are also presented to consolidate understanding. Multiple experts in the field have been consulted and contributed to development, content and review of the resource.
The e-learning packages will promote awareness amongst cancer care clinicians of the significant issue of cancer malnutrition, resulting in improved prevention, early identification, as well as appropriate and timely management of this high risk group. This in turn will improve patient care and reduce the burden of malnutrition for individuals and health services.