The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
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By focusing our attention on the questions of "what are we trying to achieve" and "are we able to do it", the discussion of medical futility has contributed an important dimension to the ethics of treatment decision making near the end of life. It is not simply enough to ask and answer the question of what the patient wants. Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to offer only those life-sustaining efforts that have a reasonable chance of being beneficial. ⋯ The recognition of the significance of the concept of futility means that discussion needs to continue at another level as well. The questions of "what are we trying to achieve" and "are we able to do it" are not easily answered. It is especially important, we think, that those who are experienced in working with patients with neurological impairments contribute to the on-going reflection on what constitutes benefit or what is the appropriate use of life-sustaining interventions for such patients.