The Basic Practice of Total Parenteral Nutrition by Physicians in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To explore the essential practice of Total Parenteral Nutrition services (TPNs) by the physician in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey highlighting the essential practice of Total Parenteral Nutrition services (TPNs) by a Saudi Arabian physician. The survey consisted of respondents’ demographic information about the essential practice of Total Parenteral Nutrition services (TPNs) by the physician at the institution, including the availabilities of Parenteral Nutrition services (TPNs) at the institution, physician prescribing TPN, the number of patients who need TPN, and the number of TPN orders. The 5-point Likert response scale system was used with closed-ended questions. The survey was validated through the revision of expert reviewers and pilot testing. Besides, various tests of the reliability of McDonald’s ω, Cronbach alpha, Gutmann’s λ2, and Gutmann’s λ6 were done with the study. Furthermore, the physician’s data analysis of the essential practice of Total Parenteral Nutrition services (TPNs) is done through the survey monkey system. Besides, the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS), Jeffery’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), and Microsoft Excel sheet version 16. Results: A total number of 409 physicians responded to the questionnaire. Of them, almost onehalf responded from the Northern region (n=186 (45.48%), and around one-Quarter of the responded physician were from the central area (n=106) (25.92%), with statistically significant differences between the provinces (p=0.000). Females responded more than males (n=268) (65.53%) versus (n=141) (34.47%), with statistically significant differences between all levels (p=0.001). Most of the responders were in the age group of 36-45 years (n=198) (48.41%) and 46-55 years (n=109) (26.65%), with statistically significant differences between all age groups (p=0.000). Almost onehalf of responders (n=176) (43.03%) worked at an organization that had parenteral nutrition services (TPNs) services. However, less than a quarter had been ever requested any parenteral nutrition services (TPNs) (n=86) (21.03%), with statistically significant differences between all answers (p=0.000). Most physicians do not ever request any parenteral nutrition services (TPNs) (n=179) (43.77%), or they do not have any answer (n=144) (35.21%). The estimated total number of TPN prescriptions was (21,344.50) daily, with an average of (16.25) TPN orders per responder working in hospital practice. Those prescriptions were needed; the total number of patients was (5,757); with an average of (60.3) patients per responder. The highest range number of patients was (n=108) (26.41%) in a range (81-100) patients and 103 (25.18%) in a field (1-20) patients daily. The average score of essential practice items for Total Parenteral Nutrition services (TPNs) at the institution was (3.31). The element “Mission of Total Parenteral Nutrition services (TPNs) system” obtained the highest score (3.61). The element “Nutrition Support Team services were (3.56). Conclusion: Physicians’ essential practice of parenteral nutrition was inadequate despite the high number of patients and the number of TPN orders. Lack of parenteral nutrition education was the primary concern in the physician’s parenteral nutrition practice in medical care.