Balancing Autonomy and Care: The Ethical and Legal Dilemmas of Artificial Nutrition andHydration Under Compulsory Health Treatment
Keywords:
Artificial Nutrition and Hydration , Bioethics, Compulsory Health Treatment, Eating Disorders, Patient AutonomyAbstract
The complex issue of informed consent in the context of administering Artificial Nutrition and
Hydration (ANH) under Compulsory Health Treatment (TSO) is explored, examining whether
ANH can be forcibly administered, particularly in cases involving patients with eating disorders
such as severe anorexia. The tension between respecting patient autonomy and the medical duty to
provide care, especially when the patient cannot give valid consent, is highlighted. While TSO
represents a significant limitation on personal freedom, it must be justified only under extreme
clinical conditions, with the patient's informed consent being paramount whenever possible.
Advocacy for a therapeutic alliance and empathetic-supportive approach is emphasized, stressing
the importance of non-coercive methods and respecting patient self-determination. Additionally, a
multidisciplinary approach in decision-making is underscored, involving ethicists, legal experts, and
family members to ensure that decisions align with the patient's best interests and uphold their
dignity and autonomy.
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