Introduction
Established in 1951, the Department of Clinical Nutrition of Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital has seen successive generations of nutritionists shape its evolution into a comprehensive institution dedicated to medicine, education, and research. Presently, the department comprises 11 medical nutrition professionals, including 5 physicians and 6 dietetic technician, 64% of whom hold master's or doctorate degrees.
Leading the department is Director Ge Sheng, a chief physician and master's supervisor. She holds prominent roles as the Chairman of the Diabetes Nutrition Branch of the Chinese Nutrition Society, the Deputy Chairman of the Chinese Clinical Nutritionist Center (CCNC) of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and the Deputy Chairman of the Shanghai Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Society. Director Ge Sheng played a pivotal role in compiling the "China Dietary Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes" released by the Chinese Nutrition Society and served as a key expert in drafting the " Guidelines of dietary therapy for adult diabetic patients 2023" by the National Health Commission. Under her leadership, the team has contributed to the formulation of numerous clinical guidelines and national standards, including the "Chinese Guidelines for Medical Nutritional Treatment of Diabetes" by the Chinese Medical Association and Chinese Clinical Nutritionist Center (CCNC) of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association.
In recognition of its excellence, the department has received various accolades. In 2009, it was honored as one of the first National Clinical Nutrition Pilot Bases by the National Health Commission. Subsequently, in 2011 and 2013, it earned the prestigious title of China Clinical Nutrition Demonstration Unit from the Chinese Nutrition Society and the Chinese Medical Doctors Association. The department was selected as the national clinical dietitian examination base by the National Medical Examination Center in 2015 and was recognized as an Advanced Unit for Nutritional Clinic Work by the Chinese Clinical Nutritionist Center of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association in 2017. Notably, its research endeavors in diabetes nutrition treatment have garnered acclaim, receiving the second prize of the Chinese Medical Science and Technology Award in 2018 and 2019.
Specialties
The Department of Clinical Nutrition's daily operations encompass nutrition clinics, consultations, and therapeutic diet management. For hospitalized patients across the hospital, the department conducts nutrition risk screening and evaluation, establishing a standardized nutrition consultation system. It formulates individualized parenteral and enteral nutrition treatment plans and provides guidance for disease-related dietary nutrition to support difficult and critically ill patients. Additionally, the department offers nearly 30 types of therapeutic diets, including various experimental diets and tube feeding diets, to address the nutritional treatment needs of hospitalized patients.
The department hosts ten specialized clinics weekly, catering to general, specialist, and special needs. These clinics cover a wide range of conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, gout, hypertension, renal insufficiency, digestive system diseases, tumors, perioperative periods, malnutrition, and sarcopenia. Services include nutritional assessment, body composition analysis, nutritional diagnosis, and treatment. Notably, in 2023, the department spearheaded the establishment of a joint oncology nutrition clinic in collaboration with the Department of Oncology and the Department of Geriatrics.
