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Updated: Jul 25, 2025
04:48
Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
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Clinical Guidelines for Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED).
Hope Wechkin1, Robert Macauley2, Paul T Menzel3
1Evergreen Health (H.W.), Department of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Kirkland, WA.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|June 23, 2023
Summary
Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) is a legal end-of-life option for patients with serious illness. This paper provides clinical guidelines for healthcare professionals supporting patients considering VSED.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Palliative Care
- End-of-Life Care
Background:
- Patient interest in voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) is increasing.
- VSED is a legal option for patients with serious illness facing diminished quality of life.
- Few comprehensive guidelines exist for VSED, particularly within the American medical system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide practical recommendations for clinicians regarding VSED.
- To address the ethical, clinical, logistical, and social considerations of VSED.
- To support clinicians in responding to patient inquiries about VSED.
Main Methods:
- Development of clinical guidelines for VSED support.
- Review of ethical, clinical, and administrative aspects of VSED.
- Focus on practical recommendations for healthcare providers.
Main Results:
- Identified numerous considerations for VSED: ethical, clinical, logistical, institutional, social, religious, spiritual, and administrative.
- Highlighted the need for specific guidelines in the American medical system.
- Emphasized the increasing public awareness and inquiries about VSED.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians require practical guidance to support patients considering VSED.
- Comprehensive guidelines are needed to navigate the complexities of VSED.
- Addressing VSED requires a multidisciplinary approach considering various patient and clinician factors.
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