Compilation of Recommendations From Summit on Increasing Physician Nutrition Experts

Abstract

This report compiles the list of recommendations derived from the Summit on Increasing Physician Nutrition Experts. The recommendations represent expert opinion on topics related to increasing the number of physicians who choose nutrition as a career option and on topics related to strengthening multidisciplinary educational programs, research activity, and clinical practice in nutrition in the future. The recommendations should not be interpreted to represent consensus, approval, or endorsement by attendees or participating societies. A simple prioritization scheme identifies those short‐term recommendations that should be more feasible, receive more immediate attention, and possibly require fewer resources than those described as long‐term. Many of these recommendations are already being acted upon by various groups within the participating societies. The listing of recommendations does not imply responsibility for implementation by Summit attendees. The role for any council arising from this Summit is yet to be defined but may certainly involve facilitating communication and collaboration of initiatives arising from many of the issues listed here.

Management of Parenteral Nutrition in Hospitalized Adult Patients

“…Changes in the current medical environment and federal rulings have led to an increased number of PN prescribers from all healthcare disciplines, as well as a decrease in the pool of nutrition physicians and nutrition support teams. Surveys report that physicians at all levels of training are undertrained in the discipline of nutrition 3 . ‐ 9 This inadequate education extends to many other healthcare fields, further heightening the need for nutrition education and PN‐prescribing competency for clinicians of many disciplines 10 .…”

Addressing Malnutrition in Hospitalized Adults

“…As the example of St. John Providence Health system shows, hospitals and patients benefit when coordinated nutrition care becomes a priority. Whether the hospital has an active NST or functions with decentralized interdisciplinary nutrition care, reports emphasize the importance of training nutrition “champions,” including nutrition specialist physicians, 57 RDs, 58 and RN 59 leaders to increase awareness of nutrition in hospital settings. The role of these clinicians is to advocate, model, teach, and reinforce best‐practice nutrition care in hospitals.…”

Best timing for energy provision during critical illness

“…Teaching basic nutritional knowledge in medical schools is a big priority, and its absence in curricula is a worldwide problem [5,45]. Among the mnemotechnic tools, the "FAST HUG" strategy [46], where "F" stands for feeding, has only partially penetrated into the critical care milieu.…”