Medical Futility Essay

1670 Words7 Pages
Medical Futility Paper Introduction The aim of this paper is to discuss the ethical aspects of medical futility. Medical futility refers to the judgement that any additional treatment of the patient will have no positive outcome. The aim of any treatment is to benefit the patient. If the treatment does not benefit the patient, it is considered futile. Futile treatments are considered unadvisable because they only prolong patient suffering. The physician generally takes the decision of futility because they have the necessary scientific understanding. However, the decision is not based on the physician’s personal opinion. It is based on the generalized professional standard of care. Furthermore, although the patients have the autonomy to take their medical decisions, it is the physician’s duty to limit treatments that are considered medically futile for the patient. One of the most challenges faced by medical professionals is the demand made by patients or their family members for treatments that are considered futile in accordance to the professional standards of care. This paper discusses the ethical challenges associated with medical futility. First, the paper dicusses the conceptual and ethical analysis of medical futility provided by Mark Wicclair. This analysis presents three different aspects of futility and the difficulties associated with them. Second, the paper summarizes the Texas Advance Directive Act of 1999. This act provides the futility policy that physicians should follow when dealing with cases of medical futility. Third, the paper discusses the futility policy from the perspective of Mark Wicclair’s analysis of medical futility. Finally, paper will provide concluding remarks pertaining to the assessment of medical futility. Mark Wicclair’s Analysis of Medical Futility Wicclair’s analysis of medical futility aims at exploring
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