Care without sufficient knowledge of people with home enteral tube feeding: a qualitative study

Aim: This study aimed to explore family caregivers' experiences with tube feeding at home in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with purposefully selected family caregivers who participated in an in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interview. Data analysis was performed through content analysis and rigor was investigated. Results: In total, 20 caregivers were interviewed. Two main categories were found in the interview data: ‘abandoned training’ and ‘lack of knowledge of nutrition’. Participants felt abandoned and unsupported by health professionals. Participants also reported feeling that health professionals passed the training responsibility to other health professionals who did not give training. This resulted in participants feeling obligated to learn from their peers. Participants lacked knowledge about nutrition, as well as how to prepare home-made formula for feeding, the correct position for feeding and feeding times. Conclusion: Despite having a heavy and vital responsibility, participants felt that they had not been adequately trained and thus faced making errors, resulting in negative consequences for the patient and the family. Therefore, appropriate plans must be made to promote preparation for home care.

Climate-conscious GI nursing

Penny Harrison highlights ideas from a British Society of Gastroenterology conference on what gastrointestinal services can do to mitigate health impacts of climate change

Journal scan

A brief overview of recently published articles on gastroenterology, hepatology and stoma care

Diagnostic and periprocedural discomfort in inflammatory bowel disease: a concept analysis using the Rodgers evolutionary method

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, autoimmune gastrointestinal illness with a significant disease burden. The concept of discomfort in IBD lacks conceptual clarity. Aims: To analyse the concept of diagnostic and periprocedural discomfort in IBD and provide an understanding of its evolution, use in IBD research and implications for clinical practice through its attributes, antecedents, consequences and related terms. Methods: The Rodgers evolutionary concept analysis method guided this inductive approach. Findings: Seven journal articles, a dictionary, a thesaurus and one book were included in this analysis. The analysis yielded 12 surrogate terms, three attributes, five antecedents and one consequence. Diagnostic and periprocedural discomfort in IBD is an unpleasant, multidimensional and subjective experience, with biological, psychological or technical antecedents, which can occur independently of pain. Conclusion: Further research is required to enhance understanding of discomfort to improve the care of people living with IBD and their relationship with healthcare providers.

Updated Global Rating Scale standards for 2021

The Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) are pleased to launch an updated version of the Global Rating Scale standards

Research round-up

A brief overview of recently published articles on hepatology and liver nursing

Stigma and social barriers to accessing timely healthcare for alcohol dependence and misuse: a narrative review

This narrative review looks at how alcohol misuse can be distinguished from unproblematic alcohol consumption, and it considers the extent of alcohol use in the UK, along with the cost of alcohol, financial and otherwise, to individuals and wider society. It focuses on the perceived public stigma and personal stigma associated with alcohol misuse and dependence and how this can discourage people from seeking help from healthcare services. This includes the negative impact of stigmatising language in reinforcing stereotypes and creating expectations. The article explores alcohol-related readmissions and the emotional consequences of ‘revolving-door syndrome’ for patients and professionals. Recommendations are made for hospital screening for risky lifestyle factors, as well as professional education on alcohol screening and interventions. The article concludes with recommendations for further study, to not lose sight of the patient and to destigmatise language to break down barriers to treatment access.