Bioética como ferramenta de tomada de decisão para suporte nutricional nos cuidados paliativos: uma revisão integrativa.

Abstract

Objective: Describe the role of bioethics as a decision-making tool for the nutritional support in palliative care. Methods: Integrative review of the literature, with data collection since May of 2009, in the MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, SciELO and BVS-Bireme databases. Results: After analyzing the 14 selected studies, the following three themes were considered relevant: (I) Bioethics principles in the context of nutrition; (II) Nutrition as a bioethical dilemma; (III) Approaches to solving bioethical dilemmas in nutrition. Conclusion: The decision-making regarding the nutritional support to patients in palliative care should be based on the patient-centered pillars of autonomy, beneficence, non maleficence and justice. Respecting the autonomy assures the patient that he will receive the treatment according to his wishes; and respecting the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence will enable a care to the patients and their family members that seeks to improve quality of life and maintain human dignity.