Intractable Disagreements About Futility.

Creator(s)

John Lantos, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Document Type

Response or Comment

Publication Date

2018

Identifier

DOI: 10.1353/pbm.2018.0013

Abstract

This paper discusses the inevitable ambiguity of the language that we use to describe events that are rare and emotionally devastating. A search for precision in such circumstances may distract from more important issues. Neither families nor doctors need more precise language. Instead, they need more trust, more emotional transparency, and a recognition by doctors of the tragic nature of the decision they face.

Journal Title

Perspectives in biology and medicine

Volume

60

Issue

3

First Page

390

Last Page

399

MeSH Keywords

Decision Making; Emotions; Medical Futility; Physicians

Keywords

Decision Making; Emotions; Medical Futility; Physicians

Comments

Comment on

• The Abuse of Futility. Schneiderman LJ, Jecker NS, Jonsen AR.Perspect Biol Med. 2018;60(3):295-313. doi: 10.1353/pbm.2018.0001.PMID: 29375057

Recommended Citation

Lantos J. Intractable Disagreements About Futility. Perspect Biol Med. 2018;60(3):390-399. doi:10.1353/pbm.2018.0013