Artificial feeding and patients' rights: recent developments and recommendations.
The rejection of technologically supplied nutrition and hydration (artificial feeding) has emerged in the last five years as one of the most controversial aspects of the right to refuse treatment. This article summarizes the trends in the legal and medical literature recognizing that individuals have the right to reject artificial feeding as to refuse any other medical treatment. It also addresses non-legal concerns and offers recommendations for effective implementation of patient preferences.
D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States