Jecker N S
Dept. of Medical History and Ethics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195-7120, USA.
West J Med. 1995 Sep;163(3):287-91.
In this article, I address ethical concerns related to forgoing futile medical treatment in terminally ill and dying patients. Any discussion of medical futility should emphasize that health professionals and health care institutions have ethical responsibilities regarding medical futility. Among the topics I address are communicating with patients and families, resolving possible conflicts, and developing professional standards. Finally, I explore why acknowledging the futility of life-prolonging medical interventions can be so difficult for patients, families, and health professionals.
在本文中,我探讨了与放弃终末期和濒死患者的无效医疗治疗相关的伦理问题。任何关于医疗无效性的讨论都应强调,医疗专业人员和医疗机构在医疗无效性方面负有伦理责任。我探讨的主题包括与患者及家属沟通、解决可能出现的冲突以及制定专业标准。最后,我探究了为何承认延长生命的医疗干预措施无效,对患者、家属和医疗专业人员而言会如此困难。