2026-10-14T19:57:47Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/33904334 2026-09-17T17:33:02Z category_7 category_21 category_39 category_64 category_106 category_132 portal_5 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

<p>Results of thematic analysis.</p> Irene Deftereos (13356942) Justin Yeung (8730369) Nicole Kiss (9320899) Vanessa Carter (10033832) Aurora Ottaway (12135334) Hollie Bevans (20962625) Danielle Hitch (6709919) Medicine Biotechnology Ecology Cancer Science Policy Infectious Diseases similar clinical contexts four main themes coded thematically using provide dietetics care p >&# 8220 dietetics care provided prospective phenomenological study nutrition care pathways nutrition care pathway peer support identified managing nutrition throughout 3 months post curative intent surgery dietetics care managing nutrition &# 8220 study aimed qualitative study curative treatment xlink "> two semi surgical discharge structured interviews secondary aim questions pertaining psychosocial wellbeing patient perspective participants found oral supplements nutritional status nutritional changes neoadjuvant therapy male ). interview schedule including oral greatly impacting gastric cancer findings suggest feeding tubes essential resource enteral supplementation <div> <p>Background</p><p>Limited research exists on the implementation of nutrition care pathways to provide dietetics care in upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery, particularly from the patient perspective. This study aimed to understand patients’ experiences and perceptions of dietetics care provided via a nutrition care pathway, both before and after curative intent surgery. The secondary aim was to explore patients’ experiences of self-managing nutrition throughout their treatment trajectory and the impact on quality of life.</p> <p>Methods</p><p>This was a single-centre, prospective phenomenological study. Patients undergoing curative neoadjuvant therapy and surgery for oesophageal or gastric cancer were invited to participate in two semi-structured interviews: 1) in the period between completion of neoadjuvant therapy and surgery; 2) at 3 months post-surgical discharge. Questions pertaining to experiences and perspectives regarding dietetics intervention, nutritional status, symptoms, and quality of life were asked as per the interview schedule. Data were analysed and coded thematically using a phenomenological approach.</p> <p>Results</p><p>Thirteen participants were included (12 with oesophageal cancer and one with gastric cancer; mean age 63 years, 62% male). Four main themes were identified: 1) lived experiences of nutritional changes during treatment and recovery; 2) perceptions of nutrition and role of the dietitian; 3) feeding tubes and oral supplements as “the necessary evil”; and 4) impact of treatment and nutritional changes on daily life.</p> <p>Conclusions</p><p>Participants experienced significant nutritional challenges throughout the treatment trajectory, greatly impacting on daily life and psychosocial wellbeing. Participants found the dietetics care provided under the nutrition care pathway to be highly beneficial and acceptable, and dietitians were deemed an essential resource. The findings suggest that intensive, individualised nutrition care pathways, including oral and enteral supplementation, would be beneficial in similar clinical contexts, with peer support identified as an area for further resourcing and research.</p></div> 2026-09-17T17:32:55Z Dataset Dataset 10.1371/journal.pone.0357580.t002 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/_p_Results_of_thematic_analysis_p_/33904334 CC BY 4.0