Medical Professionals' Attitudes Toward Tube Feeding for Themselves or Their Families: A Multicenter Survey in Japan

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

Many studies have shown a lack of advantages to tube feeding for elderly with advanced dementia, but tube feeding is still considered standard care in Japan. The aim of this study is to investigate what nutrition method health care professionals want for themselves or their families, if they fall into a bedridden state due to irreversible impaired cognition in old age.

Methods:

In 2010 we surveyed 1321 Japanese health care professionals including 251 medical doctors and 1070 nurses. Their attitudes toward tube feeding were assessed by using an anonymous questionnaire, which included desired feeding methods for themselves or their families and propriety of card-based declaration of intent for end-of-life care.

Results:

Rates of accepting tube feeding for themselves and their families were 14.4% and 43.4%, respectively. In multivariate analyses, working at a municipal hospital and high frequency of taking care of tube-fed elderly patients were predictors of refusing tube feeding for themselves. Working at a municipal hospital and being a medical doctor were predictors of refusing tube feeding for their families. The rate of welcoming card-based declaration of intent for end-of-life care including feeding methods was 65.2%.

Conclusions:

Many doctors and nurses, especially with more frequent contact with tubefed patients, rejected tube feeding for themselves on their own deathbed, but did not always refuse this option for their families.