[The sociopsychological importance of food in hospital. Evaluation of a new meal system in a children's cancer ward].
Malnutrition of patients in hospitals is a subject that is fairly well described in the medical literature, but less attention has been paid to the social significance of food in hospitals. This article describes a study of the social and psychological impact of the introduction of a new meal delivery system in a children's cancer ward. A traditional centralized meal system was replaced by a staffed local kitchen. The evaluation involved questionnaires to the children, parents and staff members; qualitative, indepth, semi-structured interviews with subgroups; observations of meals. Children, staff and parents greatly preferred the new meal system, which changed the significance of food and meals in the hospital: from an arena of conflict and problems to one with a greatly enhanced social status. The article underlines that it is important to integrate socio-psychological and nutritional aspects of food and eating if malnutrition in hospitals is to be overcome.
Forsknings-institut for Human Ernaering, Frederiksberg.
L
L
Holm
S
S
Smidt
K F
KF
Michaelsen
D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D003718:Denmark; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005521:Food Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires