What does the term "futility" mean in the context of end-of-life care?
Understand the Problem
The question asks to define "futility" in the context of end-of-life care. The provided scenario describes a patient with advanced HIV/AIDS and a severe toxoplasmosis infection whose condition is worsening despite treatment, setting the stage to understand when medical interventions might be considered futile.
Answer
"Futility" in end-of-life care means interventions are unlikely to benefit the patient or achieve care goals.
In end-of-life care, "futility" refers to interventions that are unlikely to provide benefit or achieve the desired goals of care. It suggests that a proposed treatment won't improve the patient's condition or is unable to achieve the intended outcome.
Answer for screen readers
In end-of-life care, "futility" refers to interventions that are unlikely to provide benefit or achieve the desired goals of care. It suggests that a proposed treatment won't improve the patient's condition or is unable to achieve the intended outcome.
More Information
The assessment of futility is complex and can involve differing opinions between medical professionals, patients, and their families. It raises ethical considerations about the appropriateness of continuing treatment when there is little to no hope of recovery or improvement.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume futility is solely based on whether a treatment can restore heartbeat or prolong life, without considering the overall quality of life and the patient's goals.
Sources
- FF #136 Medical Futility (or Non-Beneficial Treatment) - mypcnow.org
- Medical futility: definition, determination, and disputes in critical care - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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