A life-affirming palliative care model for severe and enduring anorexia nervosa

A life-affirming palliative care model for severe and enduring anorexia nervosa
AMA Journal of Ethics; by Jonathan Treem, Joel Yager, Jennifer L. Gaudiani; 9/23
Some individuals with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa experience dramatically degraded quality of life in the face of refractory illness and compulsory treatment. We propose a palliative care (PC) model for this group of patients that aims to support their unique goals of care, improve social-professional function, reduce physical suffering, and honor the whole person. Far from representing a pre-hospice model, a PC model for those with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa instead provides an alternative to current practices in hopes of meaningfully improving quality of life and outcomes.
Publisher's note: While slightly dated, this article recently came across my desk and was a reminder of ethical issues in serious illness care for people with anorexia nervosa.