ABSTRACT

Withholding and withdrawing medical interventions on the basis of medical futility is well-established in US law and ethics. However, when this entails overriding the wishes of patients or family members, the concern has been raised that this violates the ethical requirement to respect patient autonomy. This chapter clarifies the ethical principle of autonomy, and shows that properly understood, respect for patient autonomy is compatible with refusing patient or family requests for medically futile interventions.