Dietary Management Experiences and Educational Needs of Patients in the Recovery Phase of Pancreatitis: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study

Purpose: To explore dietary management experiences and nursing education needs among patients in the recovery phase of pancreatitis from the patient perspective, and to provide evidence to inform the development of feasible, individualized, and continuous dietary management strategies. Patients and Methods: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative design was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 15 patients in the recovery phase of pancreatitis who were treated in the hepatobiliary surgery department of a tertiary hospital in Chongqing, China, from June to September 2025. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Four major themes were identified: (1) perceptions of the relationship between diet and disease; (2) limited access to dietary information and insufficient content; (3) challenges encountered during dietary management; and (4) specific needs regarding the content and delivery formats of dietary education. Conclusion: Although patients in the recovery phase of pancreatitis recognize the importance of dietary control, the lack of specific, actionable guidance and ongoing support substantially limits long-term adherence to a low-fat diet. Clinical nurses should move beyond one-time, principle-based education and provide structured, staged, and individualized dietary guidance. Integrating digital health tools to support continuous follow-up may enhance patients’ dietary self-management, promote recovery, and reduce the risk of disease recurrence. Keywords: pancreatitis, dietary management, qualitative research, patient education, nursing practice