"Futile Care"-An Emergency Medicine Approach: Ethical and Legal Considerations. Ann Emerg Med 2017 Nov;70(5):707-713
Date
07/30/2017Pubmed ID
28754353DOI
10.1016/j.annemergmed.2017.06.005Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85025811690 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 8 CitationsAbstract
Futility often serves as a proposed reason for withholding or withdrawing medical treatment, even in the face of patient and family requests. Although there is substantial literature describing the meaning and use of futility, little of it is specific to emergency medicine. Furthermore, the literature does not provide a widely accepted definition of futility, and thus is difficult if not impossible to apply. Some argue that even a clear concept of futility would be inappropriate to use. This article will review the origins of and meanings suggested for futility, specific challenges such cases create in the emergency department (ED), and the relevant legal background. It will then propose an approach to cases of perceived futility that is applicable in the ED and does not rely on unilateral decisions to withhold treatment, but rather on avoiding and resolving the conflicts that lead to physicians' believing that patients are asking them to provide "futile" care.
Author List
Simon JR, Kraus C, Rosenberg M, Wang DH, Clayborne EP, Derse ARAuthor
Arthur R. Derse MD, JD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedClinical Decision-Making
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Service, Hospital
Ethics, Medical
Female
Humans
Male
Medical Futility
Middle Aged
Physicians
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Terminal Care
Withholding Treatment
