Abstract

Although it is difficult to make a clear definition of futile treatment, it can be explained as 'serving no useful purpose, completely ineffective treatments'. Two different approaches are suggested to solve the problems related with futile treatment. Either it is formed criteria for withholding or withdrawing treatment or it is focused on the processes toward solving of present problems. One of the important steps of solving problem is to form instutional policies. These kind of policies should provide the participation of patient, surragetes, physicians and instutions as well as should incorporate the systems such as ethical consultation and ethics committees to this process.