A doctor thinks back to a story where he successfully resuscitated an 89-year old. This left a lasting impression:
From that point on, I no longer considered a patient’s age as a determinant of the care they should receive.
A great story to be sure, but consider that happy endings like these are a statistical rarity.
Better to focus on patients having an appropriate advance directive than to highlight a successful long shot.
Related posts:
- Futile care debate led to a physician resignation
- Futile care in Canada
- Taking a stand against futile care
- Dementia and futile care
- How we spend the most money on futile care
- Passing the futile care buck
- Futile care
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