title: Ethical dilemmas in providing nutrition.
abstract: The decisions involved in the institution of artificial feeding in patients with chronic and/or terminal illness are difficult. They are more complex when one is deciding if nutrition and hydration are to be withdrawn. In both instances the decision must be based on a combination of factors: the patient's right to self-determination; documented medical evidence demonstrating the need for artificial feeding, combined with a risk/benefit analysis if alternative alimentation is recommended; and an appreciation of prior legal decisions as they relate to the implementation of alternative forms of nutrients to sustain life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Groher
mesh_terms: D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007603:Jurisprudence; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D028761:Withholding Treatment