Experiences of food and mealtime from the perspective of patients with chronic life‐limiting disease: A mixed‐method systematic review

Abstract

Eating and drinking are important parts of our daily lives (Louge, 2014), where food and nutrients both can contribute to developing disease (Grosso et al., 2017;Kivimäki et al., 2017), as well as promoting or regaining health (Fleming et al., 2019). Food and nutrients have a fundamental role in physiological well-being, however, are also affected by illness and cancer (Arends et al., 2017;Tan & Fearon, 2008). With the worldwide trajectory of ageing populations, many with chronic life-limiting disease live longer (Cristea et al., 2020), resulting in an increased need for supportive healthcare interventions around food and meals. | BACKG ROU N DFood and eating have multiple meanings in people's lives and is conferred with symbolic value (Louge, 2014), since healthy eating habits are symbols of healthy living (McCarthy et al., 2017).

Caring for patients with eating deficiencies in palliative care—Registered nurses’ experiences: A qualitative study

“…An interview guide was constructed by the authors, based on a previous systematic review about patients’ experiences of food and mealtime in palliative care (Wallin et al, 2021). Open‐ended questions were posed, and the interview guide was tested and discussed with two clinically active RNs (one specialised in palliative care).…”

“…Challenges and struggles with food and mealtime can be experienced during the whole illness trajectory, and not only in the late phase when death is closing in. Forced eating aiming to improve health and to resist death is described (Wallin et al, 2021), and conflicts between patient and family around food are recurrently described (Wheelwright et al, 2016). The situation around mealtimes is demanding for families as the illness entails weight loss, changed eating habits and suffering for a family member (Hopkinson, 2016).…”

“…Often families struggle to provide support through food (Wheelwright et al, 2016). The nature of the experienced eating deficiencies is multidimensional and needs to be recognised and adequately managed by healthcare professionals (Wallin et al, 2021).…”

The connections of physical and psychosocial symptoms among patients with terminal illnesses: A network analysis

“…A systematic review on terminally ill patients' experiences of food suggests that across cultures, food carries the meaning of care, love, and social connections. 52 Therefore, instead of tube-feeding, health workers could explore patients' and families' preferences. If appropriate, careful spoon-feeding by family members might be preferred, increasing the patient's appetite and reducing family members' anxiety.…”