Towards appropriate nutritional prescribing: challenges and solutions
The appropriate prescribing of nutritional supplements is coming under increasing scrutiny due to rising costs, workforce challenges, and a product pricing model that does not meet the needs of the healthcare economy. Data show that, whilst the number of items being prescribed is marginally decreasing, the cost of these items is increasing, and the assumption that all patients discharged on nutritional borderline substances from hospital have been assessed by a dietitian cannot be made. Standards of communication are highly variable but, with increasing knowledge about best practice and digitalisation, improvements are being made. There is a disparity between adequate knowledge of nutrition, prescribing, and best use of resources to effectively manage patient-centred care and costs. A number of strategies are being trialled to improve education and the utilisation of the right workforce. The need for a clear public health message on the importance of maintaining weight in older age is essential to ensure nutritional borderline substances are appropriately used.