TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - Medical futility and the burns patient
JO  - Burns: journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
A1  - den Hollander, Daan
SP  - 851
EP  - 855
VL  - 39
IS  - 5
N2  - Since its inception in the 1980s 'futility' has been a controversial concept. The history of this concept, its definition and application to burns care are discussed from the perspective of a burn surgeon. Although introduced as an objective (value-free) criterion, futility proves impossible to objectivate and judgements about the value of human life always play a role. The roles of the patient, the doctor, the 'politician' and society at large in futility-decisions are discussed.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0305-4179
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2013.02.001
ID  - ref1
ER  -