Infuse Issue 8 June 2019 | Page 12

What were the findings of this
implementation study? We were able
to successfully demonstrate high
fidelity to the interventions, resulting
in significant improvements in process,
clinical and economic outcomes: pre-
treatment dietitian assessment (20% to
97%, p<0.001); use of validated nutrition
assessment tool before (85% to 100%,
p=0.018), during (3% to 79%, p<0.001)
and after treatment (3% to 73%, p<0.001).
Patients receiving the new model of care
were more likely to complete prescribed
radiotherapy (p=0.041) and systemic
therapy (p=0.005). 2 Clinically relevant
improvements in weight maintenance were
also observed. At a system-level, the new
model of care avoided 3.92 unplanned
admissions and related costs of $AUD121K/
annum. 2 Focus groups confirmed clear
support for continuing the new model of
care. Pleasingly, this data supports that an
evidence-based model of nutrition care in
complex care settings is feasible and can
improve outcomes.
Recent editions of Nutrition and Dietetics
have showcased innovative examples
of leadership in translation of research
evidence into dietetic practice which
included excellent editorials by Associate
Professor Judy Bauer 4 and Assistant
Professor Sharleen O’Reilly 5 . What these
outstanding examples of successful
implementation all have in common is
they employed existing theories, models
and frameworks as a roadmap to support
translational research efforts. 6 If you’re
just starting out on the road to research
translation, be sure to seek mentoring from
an experienced implementation scientist
to help you navigate, pack the roadmap, an
implementation toolkit 7 and don’t forget to
enjoy the journey – providing better care and
outcomes for our patients is a destination
well worth the effort.
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Morris ZS, Wooding S, Grant J. The answer is 17 years, what is the question: understanding time lags in translational research. Journal of the
Royal Society of Medicine. 2011;104(12):510-520.
Findlay M, Rankin N, Shaw T, et al. Innovation in implementation: A new model of nutrition care for patients with head and neck cancer
improves outcomes. Clinical Nutrition. 2018;37:S197.
Findlay M, Bauer, J, Brown, T, Head and Neck Guideline Steering Committee. Evidence-based practice guidelines for the nutritional
management of adult patients with head and neck cancer. Sydney: Cancer Council Australia. 2011; http://wiki.cancer.org.au/australia/
COSA:Head_and_neck_cancer_nutrition_guidelines. Accessed cited 2017 Jun 4.
Bauer J. Evidence‐based practice in nutrition and dietetics: Translating evidence into practice. Nutrition & Dietetics. 2019;76(2):123-125.
O'Reilly S. Translational research: The ingredients are only the start of the recipe for better dietetic practice. Nutrition & Dietetics.
2016;73(4):307-311.
Nilsen P. Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks. Implement Sci. 2015;10(1):53.
Queensland Health. Allied Health Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP). 2019; https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/
database-tools/translating-research-into-practice. Accessed 2 May 2019, 2019.
© Dietitian Connection
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Infuse | June 2019