Terminology of clinical nutrition: Personalised nutritional intervention plan and organisation of nutrition care in health and care institutions

Abstract

Background: Based on a nutritional assessment and diagnosis of malnutrition or a malnutrition-related condition, it is possible to make an individualized nutrition plan. Such a plan is necessary to maintain or improve the individual’s nutritional status, which can then be implemented by the patient, their close ones and a multidisciplinary team working within different organizational forms of clinical nutrition. Methods: A group of 42 Slovenian experts from 19 health institutions formed an explicit terminological agreement. The basic concepts in nutrition and organizational forms of clinical nutrition were assigned a Slovenian term and appropriate terminological definition, taking into account both professional and linguistic literature. The terminology formation is based on the terminological guidelines of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Results: The article presents Slovenian terms and terminological definitions of nutrition plans, nutritional support, and nutritional therapy. Additionally, it outlines the nutritional environment, diets, palliative nutrition, and forms of food and feeding in clinical nutrition. We have also described possibilities for organizing nutritional care in health and nursing facilities. Conclusion: Understanding the basic concepts of nutritional therapy, nutritional support, and organizational forms of clinical nutrition is essential for successful communication between professionals, harmonized teaching and development, and integrating organizational forms of clinical nutrition into the health system.