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Patient and caregiver perspectives on feeding tube transitions: a qualitative interview study

Raman Chawla1,2, Lara Montgomery2,3, Lyndsay Mackay2,4

  • 1Section of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada.

Paediatrics & Child Health
|June 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Understanding patient and caregiver experiences during enteral feeding tube transitions is crucial. Involving families in decision-making and providing adequate preparation optimizes care for children with feeding disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Healthcare Transitions

Background:

  • Enteral feeding is vital for children with paediatric feeding disorders.
  • Various feeding tubes are used, necessitating transitions during a child's health journey.
  • Understanding patient and caregiver experiences during these transitions is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively understand patient and caregiver perspectives and experiences during enteral feeding tube transitions.
  • To identify key factors influencing the decision-making, management, and training processes for tube transitions.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews with 14 caregivers and 2 youth with feeding tubes.
  • Interviews explored child/family context, transition experiences, and goals/expectations.
  • Data analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Main Results:

  • Decision-making for tube transitions requires family involvement and advocacy.
  • Tube transitions necessitate adequate preparation and training.
  • Children and caregivers have distinct hopes and expectations for tube transitions, with identified benefits and challenges for different tube types.

Conclusions:

  • Feeding tube transitions are critical junctures for children, youth, and families.
  • Integrating patient and caregiver perspectives is vital for optimal decision-making, management, and training.
  • Shared decision-making, individualized timing, education, and expectations can optimize the transition process.
Abstract

Keywords:
CaregiverChildEnteral nutritionFeeding and eating disorders

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