Tube feeding controversial patients: what do dietitians think?

The use of tube feeding in some patients can be controversial, however, few studies have investigated dietitians' opinions on this subject. A cross-sectional survey of 345 members the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute was conducted using a self-administered, anonymous, postal questionnaire. A 44% response rate was achieved. Mean number of years qualified was 9.3 (8.4). Eighty-one per cent of responders were involved in initiating tube feeding in stroke patients, and 8.5% in discontinuing tube feeding in a patient in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). Nine per cent felt that their input had no influence on the care plan of the patient with dementia and 67% felt that the information given to families ( or other decision makers) concerning tube feeding was inadequate. The majority of respondents favoured tube feeding fictitious stroke and cancer patients, but less than half favoured tube feeding a fictitious patient in a PVS or a patient with dementia. When given similar scenarios involving themselves, fewer dietitians wanted to be tube fed.