title: Medical futility and the burns patient.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Burns Unit, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, South Africa. Electronic address: daanhol@ialch.co.za.
authors.forename: Daan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: den Hollander
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D018447:Medical Futility; D005791:Patient Care / Q000941:ethics*