title: A cluster randomised controlled trial of a nutrition education intervention in the community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with enteral feeding tubes are increasingly managed in their home environment and these patients require support from a range of healthcare professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cluster randomised trial of an educational intervention was undertaken among General Practitioners and nurses both in the community and in nursing home caring for patients recently discharged to primary care. This was a short, duration (<1 h), nutrition education programme delivered in the work place soon after the patient was discharged from hospital. The primary outcome was an improvement in knowledge immediately after the intervention and the secondary outcome was knowledge at 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those in the intervention group had improved knowledge, which was significantly greater than those in the control group (P < 0.001), although this knowledge was not sustained at 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A short, work-based targeted nutrition education programme is effective for improving knowledge among general practitioners and nurses both in the community and in nursing homes.
authors: Community Nutrition and Dietetics, Belfast Trust, Knockbreda Health Centre, Belfast, UK.
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Madigan
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Fleming
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Wright
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Stevenson
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Macauley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003376:Counseling; D004032:Diet; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D044623:Nutrition Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: community care; nutrition education; nutrition support