Medical Excess and the Frail Elderly

In advanced healthcare systems, a persistent tension shapes care for frail older patients: the impulse to 'do more' can lead to aggressive and costly interventions that offer little benefit and may even cause harm, whilst access to appropriate care remains uneven for marginalised groups. Navigating this complexity requires careful ethical considerations. This volume brings together leading clinicians, bioethicists, and policy experts to examine the challenge of medical excess in Western societies. Through 20 real-world case studies and clear ethical analysis, it compares approaches across North America and Western Europe, showing how cultural norms, institutional pressures, and philosophical frameworks influence decision-making. Practical and thought-provoking, the book equips clinicians, educators, and policymakers with the tools to recognise overtreatment and to make more compassionate, patient-centered care decisions for the frail elderly.