NOURISH
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring factors affecting the use of blended diets for children and young people (0-25 years) with enteral feeding tubes in health, education and social care settings in the UK: A realist approach
IRAS ID
350932
Contact name
Gemma Phillips
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Background: Feeding tubes are necessary for children and young people with health conditions (like cerebral palsy) if they cannot eat enough, or they are unable to swallow properly. It is usual to use a ready-made liquid formula which is available on prescription; however, some people want to use their own food blended down to a liquid instead. This can help with symptoms like vomiting and lets people have meals with their families. There is little research about blended diets; this means there are few guidelines for health professionals and care staff. Therefore, people have different experiences depending on where they live in the UK. This can be problematic for people who use a blended diet in a health, education or social care setting (e.g. school or respite). Staff do not always know how to prepare and give blended foods or blended diets are simply not permitted.
Aim: To explore the barriers to using blended diets and ways that people can be helped to use them.
Design and methods: The study will use what is known as realist methods to focus on when, where, and how blended diets can be well supported or are opposed. This research will be divided into three linked parts (known as work packages).
Work package 1: NHS information will be collected to estimate how many children and young people are using blended diets across the UK.
Work package 2: Structured conversations with families (parents/ main carers of children and young people aged 0-25 or young people aged 16-25 where they can consent) of individuals who use a blended diet and professionals who work with them e.g. health, education or social care professionals. Each person will provide detailed information about their views and experiences of using a blended diet.
Work package 3: Using what is known as a Delphi method which involves asking questions to a panel of experts* (like filling in a questionnaire). Questions will be answered anonymously and sent to the researcher. The researcher then shares the results with the panel, and they complete the questionnaire again. This process is repeated about 3-5 times and ends when the researcher can see what the panel agrees is most important.
*An expert might be an individual with a feeding tube, a parent or carer or someone who works with them (the same as in work package 2).
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0099
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion