A cluster randomised controlled trial of a nutrition education intervention in the community

BackgroundPatients with enteral feeding tubes are increasingly managed in their home environment and these patients require support from a range of healthcare professionals. MethodsA cluster randomised trial of an educational intervention was undertaken among General Practitioners and nurses both in the community and in nursing home caring for patients recently discharged to primary care. This was a short, duration (<1h), nutrition education programme delivered in the work place soon after the patient was discharged from hospital. The primary outcome was an improvement in knowledge immediately after the intervention and the secondary outcome was knowledge at 6months. ResultsThose in the intervention group had improved knowledge, which was significantly greater than those in the control group (P<0.001), although this knowledge was not sustained at 6months. ConclusionsA short, work-based targeted nutrition education programme is effective for improving knowledge among general practitioners and nurses both in the community and in nursing homes.