Georgetown University Medical Center

Alireza Bagheri, M.D., Ph.D.

Section: Edmund D. Pellegrino Fellows

Dr. Bagheri is currently a Research Associate in the Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University. He received his medical degree from the Gondi-Shapur Medical University, Ahwaz, Iran and his doctorate in Medical Ethics from the University of Tsukuba, Japan.

Research Proposal

Medical futility has been used increasingly by physicians in clinical settings to reduce what is claimed as an inappropriate application of medical interventions. However, medical futility itself is a controversial issue not only in terms of how to define futile care but also in its application. It is anticipated that physician-patient relationships which has already been re-established by the very influential principle of autonomy would be affected by the emergence of medical futility policy.

Objectives

To examine the consequences and the effects of regulating medical futility on physician-patient relationships, in particular in the following areas:

  • Patient's trust in the medical professions,
  • Patient's participation in decision making,
  • Patient's positive (entitlement) right,
  • Patient's preferences and satisfaction,
  • Physician's professional integrity
  • Treatment outcomes