The new Italian law 219/2017: an extraordinary clinical tool in internal medicine

Abstract

In December 2017, Law 219 named ‘Provisions for informed consent and advance treatment directives’ was approved in Italy, and on the one hand, this law helped the daily medical activity, and on the other hand, it enhanced the patient’s self-determination. This contribution analyzes the new legislative disposition and the possible medical-legal and practical implications for patients entrusted in hospitals. In particular, it focuses on the usefulness of early planning of medical care decisions in complex pathological situations in order to enhance the patient’s self-determination and his eventual impassable refusal. It also safeguards the medical work from disputes and claims, preserving medical autonomy and competence.