To feed or to nourish? Thoughts on the moral significance of meals in hospital.
This paper explores the issue of the serving of food in hospital from both a moral and a philosophical point of view. The concepts of 'having a meal' and of 'feeling nourished by food' are examined; it is suggested that the former is a necessary condition for the latter. The implications of this for nursing care are considered and it is argued that there is a moral imperative for us to try and serve 'meals', rather than simply 'food' to patients. The importance of this is highlighted by current concerns about malnutrition in hospital.
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D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005521:Food Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009014:Morals; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011788:Quality of Life