Amplifying the quiet patient voices: Capturing patient meal experiences through proxy feedback

Current tools for evaluating patient meal experiences in hospitals often emphasise sensory qualities, dining environment, and nutritional intake. However, these approaches typically exclude patients who face challenges in providing direct feedback due to frailty, cognitive impairments, or language barriers limiting the representativeness of the data. To address this gap, this study explored patient mealtime experiences through proxy feedback collected from healthcare staff during routine real-time interactions. Furthermore, we evaluated the utility and effectiveness of this novel approach in capturing the perspectives of 'quiet patients', who might otherwise remain unheard.

This exploratory qualitative study employed interpretive description methodology to gather and analyse proxy feedback documented by staff over a four-week period in a geriatric and rehabilitation facility. A focus group with staff further assessed the methodology's effectiveness.

Thematic analysis of 78 logs by 27 participants identified four key themes: Getting it right, What about me?, Sensory dynamics of meal appeal, and Food really matters. Additionally, two main themes emerged from the focus group regarding the tool's utility: The potential of this method and Helping give patients their voice.

The proxy feedback approach effectively amplified quiet patients' voices, complementing traditional surveys. Its real-time convenience and user-friendliness offer a valuable adjunct for a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of patient mealtime experiences.