Medical FutilityMichele KirnXavier UniversityIntroductionMedical futility refers to any medical treatment that is unlikely to achieve the desired goal or has little chance of cure or survival, thereby then justifies the reasoning of not providing treatment or taking life. -lengthening treatment (Thompson, 2011). This refers to when medical treatment is more of a burden than therapeutic and when therapies are not helpful to patients (Robley, 2009). It allows health care providers to claim that medical treatment is medically unnecessary, leading to discontinuation or no treatment, failing to prolong the patient's life through medical support. This topic can be controversial as to whether it is ethical to consider something medically futile. Should healthcare professionals allow patients or their surrogate decision makers to make the decision to prolong life or should healthcare workers or the ethics committee's decision have the right to consider something medically futile? On the side of the patient or the substitute decision-maker who has the last word, one could say that this allows the patient to be autonomous and fair. This is particularly evident for patients who are physically or mentally disabled and lack the competence to make their own decisions (Werth, 2005). However, non-maleficence and beneficence can also be discussed. Medical futility is apparent at all ages, from young to elderly, especially in intensive care and emergency situations. It is important that nurses and other caregivers understand their role and impact on patient outcomes. The aim of this article is to examine the different aspects of medical futility. Background information Medical futility is difficult...... middle of document ...... life must be kept in mind and sometimes the Families may not understand or have different points of view for cultural, religious, and spiritual reasons. Anger, guilt, grief and fear are some of the emotions running through the minds of family and patients at this time. Healthcare professionals should keep this in mind and possibly authorize medically unnecessary treatments for a short period of time to allow for closure. However, if a treatment only causes more stress and pain for the patient and possibly even further decreases their quality of life, I have the impression that the patient would no longer want to hang on. The healthcare team, particularly nurses, have an important role to play in helping the family and patient understand this. Although a highly controversial topic, families and healthcare professionals can use ethical theoretical perspectives to make a moral decision..