Ethical norms and legal norms in the doctor-patient relationship

Abstract

Through a selection of Italian and international legal documents, this essay traces out the shift that in recent decades has taken place in medicine from the paternalistic model to the liberal model based on informed consent. In the second part of the essay the focus falls on the question of the end of life, discussing palliative care understood as a comprehensive, coordinated therapy where no cure is yet possible but where we no netheless want to provide the best care for the patient.