Abstract:
Introduction
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the commonest solid cancer among Sri Lankan males. Enteral
nutrition is recommended for them to prevent malnutrition and nurses play a vital role in nutrition
therapy. The current study explored the factors affecting nurses in providing a quality nutritional
care to these HNC patients who were on enteral tube feeding at Apeksha Hospital, Sri Lanka.
Method
This qualitative study was conducted from May to December 2021, via semi-structured in-depth
interviews which employed a structured interviewer guide. Purposively selected staff nurses in
the ward setup at Apeksha Hospital were interviewed until data was saturated. Nine interviews
were conducted, and audio recorded. Recordings were transcribed, verbatim into transcripts and
analyzed via thematic analysis. Trustworthiness was maintained throughout the study.
Results
Four main themes were identified which explained the factors affecting the nurses when providing
nutritional care for these patients, namely, Holistic nursing care, Attributes of the patient and
family, Challenges experiencing and Availability of Resources. Patient’s cooperation over the tube
feeding process, economical background, level of support from the family and the by standers, high
patient count, shortage of nursing staff and limited time, and effect of COVID 19 pandemic were
some significant factors concerned by most of the participants.
Conclusion
The nurses had a good insight in to the nutritional needs of the HNC patients on enteral tube feeding
and had worked through many challenges while providing holistic care, dealing with the patient,
family and the situations arise and utilizing the available resources.
