Dialogue in the Nutrition Care Process: How can we help cancer patients through patient involvement and dialogue?

What is the best way to help a patient, who has no appetite or who finds it painful to eat? Such a situation is challenging in terms of the dietitian’s communication and counselling skills. In a joint effort involving patients and dietitians, a qualitative action research project will explore this interactive field. More specifically, this Danish PhD project will take a closer look at the ways in which it is possible to focus on and develop dialogic communication and patient involvement in the NCP. The project offers new approaches as to how communication between the patient and the dietitian can reinforce the patient’s motivation to eat and increase patient empowerment and thereby avoid a substantial weight loss. The project will thus contribute to the creation of knowledge about ways to reduce malnutrition in cancer patients.