Patient Mealtime Experience: Capturing Patient Perceptions Using a Novel Patient Mealtime Experience Tool

Introduction: The aim of this study is to describe the mealtime experience using the qualitative components of the Austin Health Patient Mealtime Experience Tool (AHPMET) to complement the quantitative findings of this tool. Methods: A multiphase, cross-sectional study was undertaken across all sites of Austin Health (Victoria, Australia) between March 2020 and November 2021. Patient mealtime experience was measured using the AHPMET. Descriptive statistics and a deductive thematic analysis approach described the patients' mealtime experiences. Results: Questionnaire data were collected from 149 participants. Patients were most satisfied with staff interactions, and least satisfied with dimensions of food quality, specifically, flavour, presentation, and menu variety. Clinical symptoms, nutrition impact symptoms and the patient's position were barriers to consumption. Discussion: Food quality was perceived as the poorest aspect of patient satisfaction with the hospital foodservice, particularly flavour, presentation, and menu variety. Future foodservice quality improvements must prioritise improving food quality to have the greatest impact on patient satisfaction. While clinical and organisational systems have a role in improving mealtime experience and oral intake, communicating patient perceptions of the mealtime experience is critical for responding to current perceptions of hospital food quality. Conclusion: Mealtime experience in the hospital has a significant impact on oral intake and patients' wider perception of hospital services. Questionnaires have been used to capture patient satisfaction with foodservice in the hospital; however, no comprehensive questionnaires including qualitative questions that capture the broader mealtime experience have been validated across different hospital settings. The tool developed through this study can be implemented in any acute and subacute health service to provide feedback and improve the mealtime experience of patients. This has the capacity to improve mealtime intake, mitigate malnutrition, and improve quality of life and patient outcomes.