Journal of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics

Video assisted nutrition education for cancer patients and their family members

Statement of the Problem: Cancer patients and their families are always in need to know the nutritional care process to complement the management of the morbidity.  Unfortunately not all of them are aware of the different nutritional modalities at different stages.  Most health materials are written at higher levels than most adults can understand. Limited literacy impacts health behaviors, decisions, and outcomes. Research suggests patient knowledge and comprehension can be increased by incorporating visual images and words using video technology. Development and implementation of appropriate videos can help the patients and their family members to reach an optimum knowledge of the different nutritional modalities. The implementation of a cost-effective and literacy-sensitive video-education program for this group delivers an easy access to the knowledge and information that is needed in this aspect. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The study was conducted at Clinical Oncology Department, Ain Shams University. The needs assessment was determined through conducting a focus group including clinical nutritionists who were responsible for the nutrition care process at the oncology department at Ain Shams University Hospitals, oncologists, and a clinical nutritionist nurse. Based on the focus group analysis, five video scripts were written in Arabic according to the decided needs with a timing of not more than four minutes each.  One pilot video was displayed to the patients, their relatives, clinical nutritionists, and the nurse   using both visual and audio effects. Check list for the quality and content of the pilot video was delivered to the whole group and results were satisfactory for all fields. Four additional videos were prepared.  Conclusion & Significance: Cancer patients and their families lack the basic information about the importance of nutrition as a part of the treatment plan. Incorporating visual images and words using video technology is feasible and can enhance patient knowledge and comprehension.

Author(s):

Randa Reda Mabrouk

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