The bioethics of end-of-life care in Internal Medicine: decision making and setting of care

Introduction In the field of Internal Medicine, the management of the terminal phase of an illness raises important issues involving clinical care, with particular reference to the physician-patient relationship. The present report describes the professional code of conduct relative to the assessments and decision making involved in end-of-life care. Materials and methods The article summarizes and discusses Italian common deontological low and the current positions of national and international experts in the field of end-of-life care. Results The ethical issues regarding euthanasia, withdrawal/withholding of health care, and medical treatment that uselessly prolongs the life of a terminal patient are defined and analyzed in conjunction with the outcomes suggested by the palliative medicine. Discussion Physicians caring for patients at the end of their lives must give consideration to bioethical approach.