Eficacia de un programa de terapia nutricional domiciliaria ambulatoria

Introduction: Outpatient home-based nutritional therapy improves the use of health resources and provides continuity of interventions for malnourished patients requiring home-based nutritional therapy. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an outpatient home-based nutritional therapy (HHT) program and the satisfaction reported by patients and family caregivers. Materials and methods: A mixed-method study was conducted. In the quantitative phase, nutritional and biochemical indicators (BMI, albumin, proteins, and lymphocytes) were recorded for all 34 patients, both at the beginning of the program and at the present time, using a data collection form. In the qualitative phase, 9 participants selected by convenience were interviewed until theoretical saturation was achieved. Quantitative analysis using SPSS applied descriptive statistics, McNemar, ANOVA, and Student’s t-test to identify differences in indicators at the beginning of the program and at the present time. The qualitative analysis developed the description and interpretation, establishing categories of meaning. Results: The average nutritional and biochemical indicators of the patients increased from baseline to the present: BMI from 19.95 kg/m² to 21.88 kg/m², albumin from 3.63 mg/dl to 3.80 mg/dl, protein from 7.16 mg/dl to 7.29 mg/dl, and lymphocytes from 26.62 µl to 29.89 µl. Lymphocytes and BMI showed significant increases (p<0.05). Patient and family opinions focused on three categories: weaknesses in nutrient collection that were overcome; strengths of the program in terms of training and communication; and perceived satisfaction with the program design and results. Conclusion: BMI and lymphocytes show significant differences from the beginning of the program to the present. Patients report a positive impact and satisfaction with the NDAPT, which contributes to maintaining and/or improving their nutritional status.