title: Perspectives on mealtime management in residential aged care: insights from a cross-disciplinary investigation.
abstract: Meeting the medical, nutritional, and psychosocial mealtime needs of aged care residents requires a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. To date the perspectives of this multidisciplinary team have not been adequately explored. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of a range of service providers involved in mealtime management in residential aged care. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 61 participants from five service disciplines. Four themes emerged: ( 1 ) mealtimes are highly valued; ( 2 ) service providers face common barriers to mealtime management; ( 3 ) communication among service providers is challenging; and ( 4 ) education in mealtime management is limited. Data indicated service providers acknowledge the importance of mealtimes but recognize numerous shortfalls in current care. The need for interdisciplinary training and increased communication and collaboration among providers was emphasized, including the need for clarification of provider roles. Limited consideration of mealtimes in policy and funding documents was identified as a primary barrier in further prioritizing mealtime management and advancing mealtime care.
authors.affiliation: a School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland , Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Nerina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scarinci
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waite
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017144:Focus Groups; D005522:Food Services; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D062407:Meals; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009735:Nursing Homes; D024382:Professional Role; D011788:Quality of Life; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: aging; eating perceptions; health care; intervention