Exploring the current practices of parenteral nutrition from pharmacists’ perspectives: a qualitative study

Abstract

Parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy is indicated to meet patients’ nutritional needs when normal feeding is not feasible. This study was designed to explore current practices and barriers to PN from the perspective of pharmacists. Data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with pharmacists. The key themes that emerged were knowledge, complications, pharmacists’ roles, and challenges and barriers. The most common educational activities were workshops, board study, undergraduate education, and residency training. The most common complications of PN were fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, infections, and refeeding syndrome. The most common roles of pharmacists were educating patients, calculating PN dosages, monitoring patients, and compounding PN solutions. The most common barriers were shortages of PN components and compounding facilities, inadequate training, and a shortage of experienced staff. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of pharmacists’ roles in PN treatment; however, many barriers make their tasks difficult.