Welcome to Ethics Consult -- an opportunity to discuss, debate (respectfully), and learn together. We present an ethical dilemma in patient care (hypothetical for this edition); you vote on your decision in the case. Next week, we'll reveal how you all made the call. And stay tuned -- an ethics expert will weigh in next week with an ethical framework to help you learn and prepare.
A woman in her late 70s has been using a feeding tube successfully for the past year after a stroke. Her family noticed a decline in her cognitive abilities, and the patient was diagnosed with dementia. Her family is worried about long-term care but is willing to do what the doctor says regarding the feeding tube.
See the results and what an ethics expert has to say.
And check out some of our past Ethics Consult cases:
Can Pediatrician Fire Vaccine Refusers?