Not all bad?

doi:10.1136/bmj.39423.448681.1F

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Olga M Peters-Polman, intensivist1,
Jan G Zijlstra, intensivist1,
Jaap E Tulleken, intensivist1,
John H Meertens, intensivist1,
Jack J Ligtenberg, intensivist1

¹Department of Critical Care, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30.001 9700 RB Groningen, Netherlands

o.m.peters{at}anest.umcg.nl

Wildman et al touch on the issue of prognosis in critically ill patients.1 They conclude that undue pessimism leads to unjustified refusal. What is shown, however, is that doctors, despite their pessimism, admit patients to the intensive care unit—a sign that they are aware of their limited …