A preliminary analysis of medical futility decisionmaking: law and professional attitudes. Research report

Shows that courts in the USA have taken 2 disparate approaches to disputes over futility of treatment. Reports a national survey of health care professionals to explore whether a consensus on medical futility is developing among hospitals. Respondents assigned importance ratings to factors used in r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavioral sciences & the law 1998-10, Vol.16 (4), p.497-508
Main Authors: Wiener, R L, Eton, D, Gibbons, V P, Goldner, J A, Johnson, S H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Approaches
Futility
Hospitals
Medical treatment
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Shows that courts in the USA have taken 2 disparate approaches to disputes over futility of treatment. Reports a national survey of health care professionals to explore whether a consensus on medical futility is developing among hospitals. Respondents assigned importance ratings to factors used in recent futility decision made at their institutions. The resulting importance ratings showed significant variation by characteristics of the institution and by profession of the respondent. Respondents' judgments endorsed 3 distinct strategies: the emphasis on the patient's decision preferences, providing for the patient and family, and adhering to objective medical and social norms. (Original abstract - amended)
ISSN:0735-3936