Ethical reasoning concerning the feeding of terminally ill cancer patients. Interviews with registered nurses experienced in the care of cancer patients

Abstract

In the terminal phase of life, some cancer patients have problems eating. Caregivers then have to decide whether or not to provide the patients with food by artificial means. Taped interviews concerning the treatment of terminally ill, mentally alert, old cancer patients who refuse food were conducted with 20 registered nurses who were regarded as "experienced and good nurses." Not one of these nurses considered using force or violence against the patients. It seemed that the question about whether to feed the patient was not as urgent as the question of whether to accept active euthanasia. The interviewees seemed quite certain about how they would treat the patient in different circumstances, but found it difficult to justify their judgements. Several stressed the importance of their personal experience with dying persons, and thought that one should act according to the Golden Rule.