Medical Futility

A survey of the complex issue of futile medical treatments. This book surveys the clinical, ethical, religious, legal, economic and personal dimensions of decision making in situations when the choice is between extending costly medical treatment of uncertain effectiveness, or terminating treatment thereby ending the patient's life. Contributors from a wide range of disciplines offer perspectives on issues ranging from the definition of medical futility to the implications for care in various clinical settings, including intensive care, neonatal and paediatric practice and nursing homes. An important contribution towards the more humane and consistent handling of these situations, Medical Futility will be obligatory reading for health care professionals, students and scholars concerned with ethical standards in medical care.