Understanding the role of medical futility in determining non-beneficial treatment at the end of life

Affiliations

Editorial

Emma Temple et al. Anaesthesia. 2025 Nov.

. 2025 Nov;80(11):1293-1296.

doi: 10.1111/anae.16690. Epub 2025 Jul 21.

¹ Department of Anaesthesia, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.

No abstract available

Keywords: best interests; end‐of‐life decision‐making; medical futility; non‐beneficial treatment; withdrawal of life‐sustaining therapy.

References

1. Lo J, Graves N, Chee J, Hildon Z. A systematic review defining non‐beneficial and inappropriate end‐of‐life treatment in patients with non‐cancer diagnoses: theoretical development for multi‐stakeholder intervention design in acute care settings. BMC Palliat Care 2022; 21: 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904‐022‐01071‐7.
1. Cardona‐Morrell M, Kim JCH, Turner RM, Anstey M, Michell IA, Hillman K. Non‐beneficial treatments in hospital at the end of life: a systematic review on extent of the problem. Int J Qual Health Care 2016; 28: 456–469.
1. General Medical Council. Treatment and care towards the end of life: good practice in decision‐making. 2010. Last updated Dec 2024. https://www.gmc‐uk.org/professional‐standards/the‐professional‐standards/treatment‐and‐c... (accessed 04/07/2025).
1. Glover‐Thomas N. Getting the balance right: medical futility, scientific advancement, and the role of law. Med Law Rev 2020; 28: 573–594.
1. Great Ormond Street Hospital v Yates and others [2017] EWHC 972. https://www.judiciary.uk/wp‐content/uploads/2017/05/gosh‐v‐yates‐and‐gar... (accessed 19/05/2025).