TY - JOUR
T1 - Ethical re-evaluation of contemporary treatments for anorexia nervosa: Is an aspirational stance possible in practice?
AU - Fedyszyn, Izabella
AU - Sullivan, Gavin Brent
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Anorexia nervosa is a complex disorder that occurs mainly among young women and evokes strong reactions in treating health professionals. While the reactions of psychologists are shaped by treatment guidelines, considerations of professional practice and theories of anorexia, ethical features of contemporary treatment have not been explicitly or critically examined. This paper examines representations of current best and evidence-based practice that are often motivated by a well-intentioned, but limited, risk-reduction perspective. An alternative approach, based on an aspirational ethical stance, is presented along with detailed arguments as to how optimal care for all individuals with the disorder can be achieved. The implications of this stance are specifically explored with regard to the heterogeneity of anorexia, in relation to the chronic course of the disorder and with regard to alternatives that could be described as palliative.
AB - Anorexia nervosa is a complex disorder that occurs mainly among young women and evokes strong reactions in treating health professionals. While the reactions of psychologists are shaped by treatment guidelines, considerations of professional practice and theories of anorexia, ethical features of contemporary treatment have not been explicitly or critically examined. This paper examines representations of current best and evidence-based practice that are often motivated by a well-intentioned, but limited, risk-reduction perspective. An alternative approach, based on an aspirational ethical stance, is presented along with detailed arguments as to how optimal care for all individuals with the disorder can be achieved. The implications of this stance are specifically explored with regard to the heterogeneity of anorexia, in relation to the chronic course of the disorder and with regard to alternatives that could be described as palliative.
UR - http://www.informaworld.com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/smpp/content~content=a780973441~db=all~order=page
M3 - Article
SN - 0005-0067
VL - 42
SP - 198
EP - 211
JO - Australian Psychologist
JF - Australian Psychologist
IS - 3
ER -