title: Medical futility and end-of-life care: perspectives from practice. Coping with medical futility.
abstract: Advances in technology a nd medical knowledge have dramatically altered our ability to sustain life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Many things come into play for the nurse when establishing patient goals, respecting patient's wishes, and valuing spiritual and cultural beliefs in end-of-life care. A veteran ICU nurse shares the challenges of caring and how, she copes when medical interventions seem futile.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCroskey
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002835:Christianity; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D018447:Medical Futility / Q000523:psychology*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*