Arla Foods Ingredients Reveals Challenges in Patient Adherence to Medical Nutrition Plans
Source: The DairyNews
A comprehensive analysis by Arla Foods Ingredients, involving data from 12,000 patients across 12 countries, has uncovered significant obstacles that hinder patient compliance with medical nutrition plans.
This study found that while seven out of ten patients were recommended medical nutrition, nearly 30% were unable to complete their prescribed regimen. The primary barriers identified include the cost, difficulties in ingesting or digesting the products, and bodily intolerance.
In an effort to gain deeper insights and incorporate patient perspectives, Arla Foods Ingredients conducted qualitative research with 40 individuals suffering from cancer, sarcopenia, or gastrointestinal disorders. This research highlighted the critical role that taste and texture play in adherence to medical nutrition. Many participants initially reacted negatively to the taste of the products, which although sometimes improved over time, texture issues continued to present significant challenges, with some describing medical drinks as having an unpleasant thickness that was almost nauseating.
Helle Nyby Klinge, Sales Development Manager at Arla Foods Ingredients, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues: "Medical nutrition is crucial for recovery, yet it's concerning that a significant number of patients either aren't recommended a plan or fail to complete it due to various challenges. This research not only sheds light on these issues but also gives us a chance to hear directly from the patients themselves, revealing struggles with not just cost but also taste and texture."
Arla Foods Ingredients is set to discuss these findings and potential solutions at its first medical nutrition webinar on June 6th. The event will feature experts such as Randi Tobberup, Ph.D., MSc, RD, Head of Clinical Dietitians at the Center for Nutrition and Bowel Failure at Aalborg University, Denmark. The webinar aims to provide strategies that manufacturers can adopt to enhance patient experience and improve compliance, ultimately fostering quicker recoveries.
In an effort to gain deeper insights and incorporate patient perspectives, Arla Foods Ingredients conducted qualitative research with 40 individuals suffering from cancer, sarcopenia, or gastrointestinal disorders. This research highlighted the critical role that taste and texture play in adherence to medical nutrition. Many participants initially reacted negatively to the taste of the products, which although sometimes improved over time, texture issues continued to present significant challenges, with some describing medical drinks as having an unpleasant thickness that was almost nauseating.
Helle Nyby Klinge, Sales Development Manager at Arla Foods Ingredients, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues: "Medical nutrition is crucial for recovery, yet it's concerning that a significant number of patients either aren't recommended a plan or fail to complete it due to various challenges. This research not only sheds light on these issues but also gives us a chance to hear directly from the patients themselves, revealing struggles with not just cost but also taste and texture."
Arla Foods Ingredients is set to discuss these findings and potential solutions at its first medical nutrition webinar on June 6th. The event will feature experts such as Randi Tobberup, Ph.D., MSc, RD, Head of Clinical Dietitians at the Center for Nutrition and Bowel Failure at Aalborg University, Denmark. The webinar aims to provide strategies that manufacturers can adopt to enhance patient experience and improve compliance, ultimately fostering quicker recoveries.
