Medical officers in acute care settings: their views on medically assisted hydration at the end of life.

This study explored the perceptions of doctors in acute care settings regarding the use of medically assisted hydration (MAH) in end-of-life care. The use of MAH at the end of life is controversial, and practice varies across health care settings. A qualitative study using discourse analysis was carried out. Eight medical practitioners in the acute care setting were interviewed individually. MAH has been associated with care, comfort, and standard medical intervention to save lives. Medical officers have some concerns about the benefits or adverse effects of MAH at the end of life. In acute care settings, it can be difficult to recognize and diagnose dying. Often, family discussions regarding end-of-life care do not occur due to pursuit of cure and, therefore, continuation of futile and burdensome treatment such as MAH can occur in the last few days of life.