Eating Disorder’s Effect on the Physician – Patient Relationship

During a visit to her family physician, a 35-year-old woman discloses that she suffers from anorexia nervosa. She complains of fatigue, dizziness, depression, headaches, irregular menses and environmental allergies. Each day, she uses 15 to 60 laxatives, exercises for several hours and eats a salad or half a sandwich. At 5’2″, she weighs 88 pounds. She demonstrates a good understanding of the diagnosis and the recommended therapy for anorexia. Despite receiving a variety of resource information, the patient refuses any medical intervention. She continues to present to the family physician, offering a variety of somatic complaints.

• When a patient’s preferences conflict with a physician’s goal to restore health, which ethical principle should prevail?
• Does the patient’s depression render her incompetent to refuse treatment for her anorexia?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)