Introduction Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome (ACS) is common in advanced cancer but remains poorly recognised and managed. Whilst there are guidelines available for multidisciplinary teams¹ it has been noted that healthcare professionals (HPs) find diagnosis, intervention and communicating ACS with patients difficult, and when done badly can have negative outcomes for patients and their families.^{2 3} Previous research has demonstrated barriers to ACS diagnosis and management amongst HPs⁴ but more research is required to understand how to best improve service provision.

Methods Our aim was to investigate knowledge and understanding of ACS in multidisciplinary HPs of Gateshead NHS Trust to identify potential educational needs. To do this we developed and issued a self-efficacy semi-quantitative and qualitative questionnaire to investigate professionals’ knowledge and understanding of ACS and their perceptions of its relevance to their practise and educational needs.

Results 58 respondents returned completed questionnaires comprising of 31% doctors, 41% nurses, 28% allied health professionals (AHPs); of which 53% were based in secondary care. 31% of the cohort report moderate-high confidence recognising ACS but only 12% and 7% are confident with formally diagnosing and managing ACS respectively. AHP professionals or HPs that work within internal medicine specialties were identified as having the least confidence in their knowledge and understanding of ACS across all markers assessed. The majority of the cohort (69%) of the cohort felt ACS was moderately-highly relevant to either/both their personal career, professions or speciality within healthcare. 82% of respondents would like further training on ACS.

Conclusions The common themes identified are HPs report low to intermediate confidence with regards to ACS with professional role and age being the biggest contributors to affect this. Overwhelmingly there is a clear desire amongst HPs to receive further education around ACS and a substantial number of individuals recognised it being relevant to their career and profession.

References

1. Arends J, Strasser F, Gonella S, Solheim TS, Madeddu C, Ravasco P, et al. Cancer cachexia in adult patients: ESMO clinical practice guidelines☆. ESMO Open. 2021;6(3):100092.

2. Millar C, Reid J, Porter S. Healthcare Professionals’ Response to Cachexia in Advanced Cancer: A Qualitative Study. Oncology Nursing Forum. 2013 Oct 25;40(6):E393–402.

3. J Reid, H P McKenna, D Fitzsimons, T V McCance. An exploration of the experience of cancer cachexia: what patients and their families want from healthcare professionals. 2010 Sep. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2010 Sep;19(5):682–9.

4. Deepta Churm, Inga M. Andrew, Keith Holden, Anthony J. Hildreth, Colette Hawkins. A questionnaire study of the approach to the anorexia-cachexia syndrome in patients with cancer by staff in a district general hospital: Supportive Care in Cancer 2009;17:503–507.