Patient-centred outcomes in dietary research

Introduction Current health policy stresses the need to take patients’ views into account in the provision of health care, including involvement in the process of care and determining the outcome(s) of treatment. It is unclear whether patients undergoing dietary treatment have been consulted on their views.

Methods A literature review, searching electronic databases and hand searching dietetic journals, of dietary intervention research was carried out to identify if patients’ views were sought in determining outcomes.

Results Searching uncovered a total of 28 papers reporting the results of studies of dietary interventions where patients views were sought in the measurement of outcome, however little detail was given about patient(s) involvement and whether the use of the measures influenced future care.

Future work Should address the issue of patient involvement in the determination of outcome and how this then influences future care.