Effect of nutrition counselling on client perceptions and eating behaviour.
OBJECTIVE
Demonstrating the effectiveness of nutrition counselling is imperative, not only to promote successful patient outcomes but also to secure funding. This study therefore assessed the value and effectiveness of nutrition counselling.


METHODS
To measure clients' perceptions of the value of inpatient counselling, the Clients' Perceptions about Nutrition Counselling (CPNC) instrument was administered to 164 clients one week after hospital discharge. To determine if inpatient nutrition counselling is effective in promoting changes in eating behaviours, the same clients were asked to complete the Health Habits and History Questionnaire (HHHQ) before counselling and then at three and six months following discharge.


RESULTS
The majority of respondents who completed the CPNC indicated that the information provided by the dietitian was useful, that the dietitian was knowledgeable, and that they knew what to eat after speaking with the dietitian and had changed their diet according to the recommendations. From the HHHQ, respondents counselled for heart health diet modifications (n = 45) significantly lowered their intake of energy (p<0.002), fat, saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol (all p<0.001) over time.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that inpatient nutrition counselling is perceived as valuable and results in positive dietary behaviours, the majority of which are sustained at six months.
Cook
Stephanie L
SL
Clinical Nutrition Services, Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, Regina, SK.
Nasser
Roseann
R
Comfort
Brenda L Webster
BL
Larsen
Derrick K
DK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D004046:Dietetics / Q000379:methods*; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction