title: Physicians' perceptions regarding the detection and management of malnutrition in Canadian hospitals: results of a Canadian Malnutrition Task Force survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since malnutrition is common in Canadian hospitals, physicians frequently encounter patients with significantly impaired nutrition status. The objective of this study was to determine physician attitudes and perceptions regarding the detection and management of malnutrition in Canadian hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey based on a previously developed questionnaire that focused on guidelines for nutrition support of hospitalized patients was completed by Canadian physicians working on wards in the 18 hospitals participating in the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force study. Data were analyzed descriptively and according to ward (medical vs surgical) and hospital type (academic vs community).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey was completed by 428 of the 1220 physicians who were provided with a questionnaire and asked to participate (response rate 35%). While physicians believe that nutrition assessment should be performed at admission (364/419 [87%]), during hospitalization (363/421 [86%]), and at discharge (327/418 [78%]), most felt that this was not being done on a regular basis (admission, 140/423 [33%]; during hospitalization, 175/423 [41%]; at discharge, 121/424 [29%]). Similarly there was a gap between what was perceived to be the ideal management of hospital-related malnutrition and current practices. Physicians felt that the team's nutrition education and use of dietetic resources could be increased, and although their nutrition knowledge was limited, they felt that hospital-associated malnutrition was very relevant to the care they provided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multidisciplinary team is needed to address hospital malnutrition, and educational strategies that target physicians are needed to promote better detection and management throughout the hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada duerksn@cc.umanitoba.ca.
authors.forename: Donald R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Duerksen
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Heather H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vesnaver
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Johane P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Allard
authors.affiliation: Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Paule
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bernier
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gramlich
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Payette
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nutrition Department, Vitalité Health Network, New Brunswick, Canada.
authors.forename: Manon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laporte
authors.affiliation: St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Khursheed
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jeejeebhoy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D004046:Dietetics; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018529:Nutritional Support; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: hospitalized patients; malnutrition; nutrition assessment; nutrition care; physician