To feed or to care? Nutritional support in palliative care from a personalist bioethics perspective
Abstract
In the context of palliative care, nutritional decisions involve the challenge of assessing the therapeutic proportionality of nutritional interventions, discerning when nutrition constitutes an act of care consistent with respect for the person's dignity and quality of life, and when its implementation or withdrawal may result in interventions that are disproportionate to the expected benefits. This article reflects on the role of nutrition in palliative care from the perspective of personalist bioethics, which recognizes the inherent dignity of the person and prioritizes the integral care of human life. It also examines the professional responsibility of the nutrition professional in decision-making processes oriented toward quality of life, respect for patient autonomy, and empathetic communication with patients and their families. Finally, the article proposes ethical guidelines to promote a humanized nutritional practice consistent with the principles of therapeutic proportionality, beneficence, and respect for human dignity.
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References
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The articles published by the scientific journal "Notes on Bioethics" of the Universidad Catolica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo, Chiclayo Peru, can be shared through the international public license Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 4.0
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