A review and analysis of new Italian law 219/2017: ‘provisions for informed consent and advance directives treatment’

In December 2017, Law 219/2017, 'Provisions for informed consent and advance directives', was approved in Italy. The law is the culmination of a year-long process and the subject of heated debate throughout Italian society. Contentious issues (advance directives, the possibility to refuse medical treatment, the withdrawal of medical treatment, nutrition and hydration) are addressed in the law.What emerges clearly are concepts such as quality of...