Ethical challenges in the treatment of patients with severe anorexia nervosa

Ethical challenges in the treatment of patients with severe anorexia nervosa 
Psychiatry Online; by Patricia Westmoreland, MD; Jole Yager, MD; Jonathan Treem, MD; and Philip S. Mehler, MD; 7/15/24 
Ethical principles assist us in determining the best course of action with regard to patients with [anorexia nervosa] AN. The vast majority of patients with AN should be offered high-quality, restorative-informed care. But for a minority of patients (e.g., those with SE-AN) other treatment options need to be considered. Clinicians are obliged to realistically assess each patient’s potential for recovery or ability to engage in harm reduction and palliative care approaches, and be cognizant of the wishes of the patient, family, and treatment team. In addition, the burden on caregivers and stewardship in the expenditure of health care resources should also be considered when deciding whether involuntary treatment, harm reduction, palliative care, or end-of-life care be recommended for a particular patient.