Current opinion in supportive and palliative care;
Sep 2016; vol. 10(3) 208-213
Somers, Emma; Grey, Carl; Satkoske, Valerie
This article explores various cultural perspectives
of withholding and withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment utilizing a case
involving artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) to guide ethical discussion. Recent literature challenges the evidence base that feeding tubes for
people with advanced dementia lead to significant harm. In light of these new
findings, the authors reconsider end-of-life decision making that concerns ANH to
determine whether these new findings undermine previous ethical arguments and
to consider how to best educate and support patients and families during the
decision-making process.