Researchers wanted to understand why some hospitalized cancer patients don’t take their prescribed nutrition supplements. They surveyed 127 cancer patients in China using a simple model that looks at three things: what people know, what they believe, and what they actually do. The study found that patients who had good support from family and friends, understood why the supplements mattered, and experienced fewer side effects were much more likely to actually take their supplements. The findings suggest that hospitals should give patients personalized education about nutrition and make sure families are involved in the care plan.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Why some hospitalized cancer patients take their prescribed nutrition supplements while others don’t, and what factors help or hurt their willingness to use them
- Who participated: 127 cancer patients staying in a hospital in Taizhou, China. Researchers asked them questions about their education level, family support, how they felt about the supplements, and whether they actually took them as prescribed
- Key finding: Three main things predicted whether patients would take their nutrition supplements: having strong family and friend support, understanding the importance of the supplements, and not experiencing bad side effects from them
- What it means for you: If you or a loved one is a hospitalized cancer patient, talking openly with your medical team about concerns with supplements, involving family in your care plan, and getting clear explanations about why supplements matter can help you stick with treatment. However, this study was done in one hospital in China, so results may differ in other places
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time by asking 127 cancer patients questions all at once, rather than following them over months or years. Patients completed a detailed questionnaire during face-to-face interviews that included questions about their background (age, education, income), how much they actually took their nutrition supplements, and several standardized tests that measure things like confidence in managing their health, quality of life, and how much support they felt from family and friends.
The researchers used a framework called the KAP model, which stands for Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices. This model helps identify what people know about something, what they believe about it, and what they actually do. The study measured all three areas to see which ones were most important for whether patients took their supplements.
The researchers used statistical tests to find connections between different factors and whether patients took their supplements. They looked at things like education level, family support, side effects, and how much patients understood about why the supplements were important.
Understanding why patients don’t take prescribed supplements is important because good nutrition is especially critical for cancer patients in the hospital. When patients skip their supplements, they may not get the calories and nutrients they need to recover. By identifying the main reasons patients don’t comply—like lack of family support, not understanding why supplements matter, or experiencing side effects—hospitals can create better plans to help patients actually take what they’re prescribed. This approach is more helpful than just telling patients to take supplements without understanding their specific barriers.
This study has some strengths: it used validated measurement tools that are recognized by health researchers worldwide, it included face-to-face interviews which can capture more detailed information than online surveys alone, and it used appropriate statistical methods. However, the study was conducted in only one hospital in China with 127 patients, so the results may not apply to all cancer patients everywhere. The study is also cross-sectional, meaning it shows relationships between factors but cannot prove that one thing directly causes another. Additionally, patients answered questions about their own behavior, which can sometimes be biased—people might report taking supplements more often than they actually do.
What the Results Show
The study found that three factors were most strongly connected to whether patients actually took their nutrition supplements: having good social support from family and friends, understanding the importance of the supplements, and not experiencing bothersome side effects.
When looking at what helped patients have positive attitudes about supplements, three things stood out: feeling confident in their ability to manage their health (called self-efficacy), understanding why supplements mattered, and having family members present during their hospital stay.
Interestingly, the researchers found that patients’ knowledge about supplements came from several sources: their education level, how much support they felt from others, how satisfied they were with their care, their attitudes about supplements, and whether their family’s financial situation was stressful.
The side effects from supplements were particularly important—patients who experienced fewer negative effects were significantly more likely to keep taking them. This suggests that managing side effects could be a key way to improve compliance.
The study also measured patients’ overall quality of life and confidence in managing their health. These factors appeared to be connected to whether patients took their supplements, though the connections were not as strong as the main findings. The research showed that family involvement during hospitalization was particularly important—patients whose family members were present and involved in their care were more likely to maintain positive attitudes about taking supplements.
Previous research has shown that compliance with medical treatments in cancer patients is often influenced by understanding, family support, and side effects management. This study confirms those findings in the specific context of nutrition supplements. The use of the KAP model adds to existing research by showing that all three components—knowledge, attitudes, and practices—are interconnected and important. The finding that social support is crucial aligns with other studies showing that cancer patients do better when they have strong family and community support.
This study only included 127 patients from one hospital in China, so the results may not apply to cancer patients in other countries or healthcare systems. The study design (cross-sectional) means researchers only looked at patients at one point in time, so they cannot determine whether one factor actually causes another. Patients answered questions about their own behavior, which might not always be completely accurate. The study didn’t include information about different types of cancer or different types of supplements, so we don’t know if results would differ for specific cancer types. Finally, the study was conducted in a hospital setting, so results may not apply to cancer patients receiving treatment at home or in outpatient clinics.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a hospitalized cancer patient prescribed nutrition supplements: (1) Ask your medical team to explain clearly why the supplements are important for your recovery—understanding the ‘why’ matters; (2) Tell your healthcare providers about any side effects you experience, as they may be able to adjust your plan; (3) Involve your family in your care discussions and ask them to support your supplement routine; (4) If you have concerns about cost or other barriers, discuss them with your care team. These recommendations are based on moderate evidence from this single study and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
This research is most relevant to hospitalized cancer patients, their families, and healthcare providers (especially nurses and nutritionists) who work with cancer patients. If you’re a cancer patient in the hospital, this information can help you understand why taking prescribed supplements matters and what might help you stick with them. Family members should know that their involvement and support directly impacts whether patients take their supplements. Healthcare providers should use this information to create personalized education plans rather than one-size-fits-all approaches. This study is less relevant to cancer patients who are not hospitalized or those with very advanced disease where supplements may not be appropriate.
If you start taking prescribed nutrition supplements consistently with good family support and clear understanding of why they matter, you might notice improved energy levels within 1-2 weeks and better overall nutrition status within 3-4 weeks. However, the benefits depend on your specific situation, cancer type, and overall health. Talk with your medical team about realistic expectations for your individual case.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily supplement intake by logging each time you take your prescribed nutrition supplement, noting the time, type, and any side effects experienced. This creates a clear record you can share with your healthcare team and helps identify patterns in when you’re most likely to take supplements.
- Set a specific daily reminder (such as with meals) to take your supplement, and involve a family member to check in with you about it. Use the app to log when family members are present or when you discuss your supplement plan with them, as this support directly impacts compliance.
- Weekly, review your supplement compliance percentage in the app and note any barriers you encountered (side effects, forgetting, cost concerns). Share this data with your healthcare provider monthly to adjust your plan. Track how you feel (energy level, appetite) alongside your compliance to see the connection between taking supplements and feeling better.
This research describes associations between factors and supplement compliance in one hospital setting and should not be considered medical advice. Cancer patients should always follow their healthcare provider’s specific recommendations about nutrition supplements. If you experience side effects from supplements, difficulty affording them, or other concerns about taking them, discuss these openly with your medical team rather than stopping them on your own. This study was conducted in China and results may differ in other healthcare settings. Individual circumstances vary greatly, and what works for one patient may not work for another. Always consult with your oncology team or registered dietitian before making changes to your nutritional plan.