title: Futility: is definition the problem? Part I.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Service, California State University, Northridge.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Cotler
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Gregory
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D030881:Disclosure; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D028681:Moral Obligations; D026706:Paternalism; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011379:Prognosis; D016079:Refusal to Treat; D040841:Resource Allocation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012945:Social Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D028761:Withholding Treatment