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The "to feed or not to feed" dilemma
B Dorner1, C Gallagher-Allred, C P Deering
1Becky Dorner and Associates, Akron, OH 44333, USA.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
|October 23, 1997
Summary
Advance directives improve patient-provider communication and safeguard resident interests in medical care. Dietitians can engage in ethical discussions on nutrition and hydration, ensuring patient-centered care plans.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Clinical Nutrition
- Healthcare Communication
Background:
- Advance directives are crucial for patient autonomy and guiding medical decisions.
- Effective communication between patients and providers is essential for quality care.
- Ethical considerations surrounding nutrition and hydration are complex in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of advance directives in enhancing patient-provider communication.
- To emphasize the dietitian's involvement in ethical and legal aspects of nutrition and hydration.
- To advocate for individualized, patient-centered care planning.
Main Methods:
- Review of the literature on advance directives and patient care.
- Analysis of the dietitian's role within facility ethics committees.
- Emphasis on collaborative healthcare team approaches.
Main Results:
- Advance directives facilitate improved communication and patient-centered care.
- Dietitians can actively contribute to ethical decision-making regarding feeding.
- Individualized care plans require continuous reassessment of nutritional status.
Conclusions:
- Advance directives are vital tools for respecting patient wishes and improving care.
- Dietitians play a key role in navigating ethical dilemmas in nutrition support.
- A collaborative, patient-centered approach ensures optimal nutritional interventions.