The annual cost of healthcare associated with malnutrition is approximately €1.4 billion per annum (10% of total healthcare budget) in Ireland. Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) can be used to effectively manage malnutrition, improve healthcare outcomes and decrease healthcare costs if prescribed for patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (NICE, 2013). Irish data indicate that GPs are unclear about the indications for, and nutritional content of ONS, resulting in suboptimal patient management. The aim of this research is to investigate the factors that influence ONS prescription decision-making by Irish GPs and to design and test a multidisciplinary education intervention that will support appropriate, evidence-based ONS prescribing. Using a systematic approach, a thorough literature review of the evidence for nutrition support for malnourished patients/those at risk of malnutrition will be undertaken and evidence of good practice and how this was achieved collated and critically reviewed. Criteria for appropriate prescribing of ONS will be defined. A quantitative assessment of ONS prescribing trends using routinely collected HSE-PCRS national data together with qualitative interviews with healthcare professionals and patients will be used to inform the development and delivery of the education intervention. The value of the intervention in achieving improved nutritional management of patients and appropriate ONS prescribing will be appraised by carrying out interviews with GPs, patients and other healthcare professionals to ensure that it is effective at meeting their needs and to establish if changes in behaviours/practice occur. The national HSE-PCRS database will also be used to establish if beneficial changes in ONS prescribing practices occur following the implementation of the intervention.
