Hospital Single Portion Food Packaging
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating patient experience, nutrition and wellbeing in the context of eating at the Northern General Hospital.
IRAS ID
235696
Contact name
Alaster Yoxall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Hallam University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
STH20209, STH Research Project Reference
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
In what ways does engaging with food and mealtimes as part of the hospital experience relate to patient identity and wellbeing, and what is the role of single portion packaged foods in this experience?
The aim of this research is to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of eating in hospital, with a focus on meals, snacks, and single portion packaged foods and supplements. Single portion packaged foods present an important case for further examination, particularly in a context where they are routinely allocated to patients with additional nutritional requirements to supplement their dietary intake. The patient experience of these foods is also worthy of closer investigation because although the foods themselves are familiar, their presentation in single packaged form may be quite different to how they are encountered in a home environment.
The study is funded by Sheffield Hallam University, and will be conducted on multiple wards in the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield. Wards have been selected on the basis of their patient profiles, with priority given to wards where a significant proportion of patients are allocated single portion snacks as nutritional supplements. The main research activities will be: a series of observations on hospital wards to provide a deeper insight into the ward catering arrangements; interviews with ward staff, catering managers, and the wider catering team to gain further insight into the research context; and a series of interviews with patients. Patients will be recruited on the wards, and each interview will last approximately 30 minutes. The interviews will investigate the individual experience of eating in hospital, explore each patient's response to single portion packaged foods, and examine the role of these foods in patient identity and wellbeing.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1297
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion