Language has to be as simple as possible for the lay person to understand what the medical folks mean. It is not necessary to use big medical terms and especially words where the meaning may be ambiguous.
Futile is just one such word. It is used frequently and debated frequently as well. Families and patients fail to see why a treatment is "futile" when clearly positive physiologic effects are seen, (even though the overall prognosis stays poor)
I prefer not to use this word at all... instead use the word non-beneficial and beneficial.
Thus, the conversation may go something like this, "The following treatments are of no benefit because they are not going to improve the clinical condition to the point where the patient feels it is meaningful to him/her. It is not going to help achieve the goals as jointly discussed and agreed upon;
therefore the following treatments will not be offered /or will be stopped as the case may be.
Same is true for CPR. If it is not going to be of any benefit in reaching the goals then doing CPR is of no use and ought not be done.
Reassure the patient and family that their care will not stop:
"What is of benefit to the patient ( your dad, grandma etc) has been given, is being given and will be given. Treatments that are of no benefit, that is they will not help us get to the goals and quality of life the patient wanted, will be stopped or not offered ( like dialysis, CPR, PEG tube, etc as the case may be). Their care will never stop and any treatments that provide comfort will be given including medicines for pain.
