Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment

Medical Futility

The absence of a useful purpose or useful result in a diagnostic procedure or therapeutic intervention. The situation of a patient whose condition will not be improved by treatment or instances in which treatment preserves permanent unconsciousness or cannot end dependence on intensive medical care. (From Ann Intern Med 1990 Jun 15;112(12):949)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The absence of a useful purpose or useful result in a diagnostic procedure or therapeutic intervention. The situation of a patient whose condition will not be improved by treatment or instances in which treatment preserves permanent unconsciousness or cannot end dependence on intensive medical care. (From Ann Intern Med 1990 Jun 15;112(12):949)

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

8 entry terms
  • Futility, Medical
  • Futile Treatment
  • Futility
  • Treatment Futility
  • Futile Treatments
  • Futility, Treatment
  • Treatment, Futile
  • Treatments, Futile

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

3 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings ethics, legislation & jurisprudence, psychology.

MeSH Record

History Note

95

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Decision Making (1985-1994)
  • Ethics, Medical (1990-1994)
  • Resuscitation (1989)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. E01w.789w.600w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Medical Futility. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D018447. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D018447
  2. Medical Futility. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futile_medical_care
  3. Medical Futility. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2754973