Blenderized Tube Feeding: A Survey of Dietitians' Perspectives, Education, and Perceived Competence

Can J Diet Pract Res. 2019 Dec 1;80(4):190-194. doi: 10.3148/cjdpr-2019-007. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Abstract

Increasingly, patients and their caregivers desire blenderized tube feeding (BTF) as an alternative or adjunct to commercial enteral formula. Although dietitians are central in the care of tube fed patients, they do not necessarily have training or experience with BTF and may therefore find it challenging to manage the nutrition of patients who opt for this enteral nutrition approach. To describe dietitians' perspectives, perceived competence, and education on BTF, a cross-sectional survey was conducted by use of an original questionnaire. Dietitians with the authority to practice enteral nutrition in the province of British Columbia, Canada, were included in the study (n = 715). Of the 221 respondents (31% response rate), 28% reported being knowledgeable about BTF, and 24% reported confidence managing patients on BTF. Few agreed they had the expertise to design, administer, or teach administration of BTF (29%, 15%, and 24%, respectively). In regards to education, 27% of respondents did not have BTF education of any kind, and those with BTF education reported it to be primarily derived from informal sources such as self-directed study and learning from colleagues or patients. These results indicate that among dietitians, formal BTF education is uncommon, and there is limited perceived competence on BTF practice.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • British Columbia
  • Clinical Competence*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dietetics / methods
  • Enteral Nutrition / methods*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Nutritionists / education*
  • Nutritionists / psychology
  • Nutritionists / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires