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Nutrition and hydration in the end-of-life-care: ethical issues

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Resumo:The last decades brought huge advances in medical technology and pharmacology. One area that reflects this progress has been the administration of nutrition and hydration. These are controversial therapies at the end of life, especially when administered by artificial means. The objective of this review was to discuss and comprehend the current and global knowledge about ethical issues related to food, nutrition and hydration in the end-of-life care. The problematic situations analyzed include: advanced directives, the concept of basic human care or treatment, the meaning of food and fluids, the withholding and withdrawing of nutrition and hydration, risks and benefits of nutritional support and the concept of voluntary stopping eating and drinking.
Autores principais:Pinho-Reis, Cíntia
Outros Autores:Sarmento, António; Capelas, Manuel Luís
Assunto:Artificial hydration Artificial hydration End of life Ethics Oral feeding Palliative care Hidratação artificial Nutrição artificial Fim de vida Ética Alimentação oral Cuidados paliativos
Ano:2018
País:Portugal
Tipo de documento:artigo
Tipo de acesso:acesso aberto
Instituição associada:Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Idioma:inglês
Origem:Veritati - Repositório Institucional da Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Descrição
Resumo:The last decades brought huge advances in medical technology and pharmacology. One area that reflects this progress has been the administration of nutrition and hydration. These are controversial therapies at the end of life, especially when administered by artificial means. The objective of this review was to discuss and comprehend the current and global knowledge about ethical issues related to food, nutrition and hydration in the end-of-life care. The problematic situations analyzed include: advanced directives, the concept of basic human care or treatment, the meaning of food and fluids, the withholding and withdrawing of nutrition and hydration, risks and benefits of nutritional support and the concept of voluntary stopping eating and drinking.