Factors Affecting Nurses in Providing Nutritional Care for Hospitalized Head and Neck Cancer Patients on Enteral Tube Feeding in Sri Lanka

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.