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Redesigning Physicians’ involvement in Nutrition Care for Hospitalized Patients to Combat Hospital Malnutrition: Evidence, Challenges, and Policy Options
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M Zarif Yeganeh   , A Haghaghian-Roudsari * , A Takian , N Omidvar , H Mohammadi Kangarani , A Hekmatdoost |
| Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , a_haghighian@sbmu.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (6 Views) |
| This policy brief addresses the issue of hidden hospital malnutrition in Iranian hospitals, a prevalent problem associated with increased complications, mortality, prolonged length of stay, and higher healthcare costs, yet one that remains largely neglected within the health system’s priorities. The findings indicate that the structural gap in physicians’ participation in the nutritional care of hospitalized patients—driven by inadequate medical nutrition education, excessive physician workload, weak interdisciplinary collaboration, shortage of nutrition specialists, lack of accountability indicators, and weaknesses in the referral system—is one of the main factors contributing to the persistence of this problem. Drawing on scientific evidence, expert interviews, and international experiences, this study proposes four prioritized and feasible policy options: (1) recruitment of nutrition specialists, (2) establishment of Nutrition Support Teams, (3) integration of nutrition indicators into hospital accreditation systems, and (4) revision of the medical curriculum through an interprofessional education approach. Without a systematic redesign of physicians’ participation in nutrition care, hospital malnutrition will continue to impose a hidden, costly, yet preventable burden on Iran’s health system. |
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| Keywords: Hospital malnutrition, Nutrition care, Physicians, Health policy |
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Full-Text [PDF 774 kb]
(7 Downloads)
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Article type: Brief Policy |
Subject:
nutrition
Received: 2026/05/25 | Accepted: 2026/01/30
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