Resolving disputes between clinicians and family about "futility" of treatment
Title
Resolving disputes between clinicians and family about "futility" of treatment
Creator
Burt RA
Identifier
Publisher
Seminars In Perinatology
Date
2003
Subject
Humans; Pediatrics; Family; Emotions; Physicians; Life Support Care; Physician's Role; Brain Death; ICU Decision Making; Medical Futility/ethics/psychology
Description
Family resistance to withdrawal of life support from children presents difficult issues of clinical practice and of principle. Legal recognition of unilateral physician authority for withdrawal on grounds of clinical "futility"-even in the most extreme circumstance of brain death-creates inappropriate incentives for clinicians' avoidance of prolonged, emotionally taxing interactions likely to persuade parents to accept the reality of their child's impending or actual death. Although unilateral physician action withdrawing support may sometimes be necessary in response to intractable family resistance, clinicians should nonetheless always understand this course not only as a clinical failure in dealing with families but also as unjustified in principle.
2003
Rights
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Type
Journal Article
Citation List Month
Backlog
URL Address
Citation
Burt RA, “Resolving disputes between clinicians and family about "futility" of treatment,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed April 19, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/12934.