Medically tailored meals in lung cancer care: patient experiences from the NutriCare Clinical Trial

Purpose: To understand the perceptions and experiences of participants in NutriCare, a randomized controlled trial of medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling using medical nutrition therapy informed by motivational interviewing for patients with lung cancer. Methods: Descriptive analysis of exit surveys and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 21 intervention arm (NutriCare) trial participants. Results: Most exit survey respondents reported overall satisfaction with the intervention, particularly with the nutrition counseling. In comparison, satisfaction with the medically tailored meals was more variable. Six main themes emerged from qualitative analysis: (1) convenience of medically tailored meals, (2) support navigating cancer and treatment impacts, (3) preference for fresher and more flavorful foods, (4) desire for increased food choice and meal flexibility, (5) dietitians’ role in providing nutrition expertise and social support, and (6) enhanced motivation and knowledge promoting behavior change. Conclusions: Overall, participants valued the convenience of the NutriCare intervention, emphasizing the logistic ease of home-delivered meals and remote nutrition counseling during cancer treatment. Many participants felt the intervention supported their nutritional needs and overall well-being. Our findings underscore the perceived benefits of nutrition education and counseling in tandem with direct provision of food and point to a need for further research on tailoring FIM interventions for diverse patients with lung cancer. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Food is Medicine interventions, like NutriCare, show promise in supporting the nutrition and well-being of vulnerable patients with lung cancer, with additional benefits when combined with personalized nutrition counseling.