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Medical Futility MeSH Descriptor Data 2026


MeSH Heading
Medical Futility
Tree Number(s)
E01.789.600
Unique ID
D018447
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D018447
Scope Note
The absence of a useful purpose or useful result in a diagnostic procedure or therapeutic intervention. The situation of a patient whose condition will not be improved by treatment or instances in which treatment preserves permanent unconsciousness or cannot end dependence on intensive medical care. (From Ann Intern Med 1990 Jun 15;112(12):949)
Entry Version
MED FUTILITY
Entry Term(s)
Futile Treatment
Futility
Futility, Medical
Treatment Futility
Previous Indexing
Decision Making (1985-1994)
Ethics, Medical (1990-1994)
Resuscitation (1989)
See Also
Resuscitation Orders
Public MeSH Note
95
History Note
95
Date Introduced
1995/01/01
Last Updated
2003/07/09
Medical Futility Preferred
Futility Broader
Futile Treatment Related
Treatment Futility Narrower
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