THE NUTRITIONIST'S PARTICIPATION IN THE PALLIATIVE CARE OF THE ONCOLOGICAL PATIENT: A INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/levv16n54-162Keywords:
Palliative Care, Oncology, Nutritionist, Quality of Life, Nutritional SupportAbstract
Nutrition plays an essential role in the palliative care of cancer patients, as it contributes to maintaining nutritional status, relieving symptoms, and promoting quality of life. This study aimed to analyze, through a systematic review, the participation of nutritionists in the palliative care of cancer patients, identifying their main responsibilities, effective practices, and gaps in the scientific literature. National and international databases were consulted, including PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar, covering publications from 2015 to 2025. Five studies were included, which showed that the nutritionist acts in a multidimensional way: preventing nutritional complications, adapting diets according to symptoms and individual preferences, providing support to families and caregivers, and integrating into the multidisciplinary team. The main keywords used were: Oncology, palliative care, and nutritionist. Despite the recognized benefits, there is still a lack of clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of specific nutritional approaches in palliative care, highlighting the need for further research. It is concluded that the nutritionist is an indispensable professional in oncological palliative care, combining technical knowledge, humanization, and comprehensive support for patients and their families.
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