TY - JOUR AU - Gétaz, Laurent AU - Rieder, Jean-Pierre AU - Nyffenegger, Laurent AU - Eytan, Ariel AU - Gaspoz, Jean-Michel AU - Wolff, Hans PY - 2012/09/09 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Hunger strike among detainees: guidance for good medical practice JF - Swiss Medical Weekly JA - Swiss Med Wkly VL - 142 IS - 3738 SE - Review article: Biomedical intelligence DO - 10.4414/smw.2012.13675 UR - https://smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/1579 SP - w13675 AB - <p><p>Hunger strike is a regularly reported problem in prison. Although clinical situations are rarely severe, hospitalisation is often considered. In consequence, it is not only physicians working in prisons, but also hospital medical teams who face challenges related to hunger strike, involving somatic, psychological, legal and human rights aspects. Furthermore, deontological rules must be strictly respected when delivering care, particularly in prison setting.</p> <p>Starvation involves metabolic changes and can cause severe, and sometimes even irreversible or fatal complications. Moreover, the phase of re-alimentation should not be trivialised, as re-feeding syndrome is a potentially fatal phenomenon. This article provides guidance for monitoring and management of patients on hunger strike.</p></p> ER -