Experiences and concerns of patients on enteral nutrition, based on their testimonies on public internet forums

Abstract

Background & aims: This qualitative study aims to provide a sociological assessment of the spontaneous and lived experiences of patients on enteral nutrition, as expressed through testimonies on public internet forums (general health forums and specialized health forums).

Methods: By analysing 5715 testimonies from 2873 authors, we aimed to capture an unfiltered view of this treatment, free from the biases often introduced by clinical or medical assessments.

Results and conclusions: The findings highlight different experiences and perceptions of enteral nutrition depending on whether the patient has a nasogastric/nasojejunal tube (NGT/NJT) or a gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube (GT/JT). If patients trust enteral nutrition and acknowledge its positive outcomes, their experience is more positive with gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube. This approach offers valuable insights into the impact of the enteral nutrition on the patients' daily life and allows all healthcare stakeholders to better consider the reality of their experiences.

Keywords: Concerns; Enteral nutrition; Experiences; Gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube; Nasogastric or nasojejunal tube; Quality of life.