Neurology and physician-assisted suicide: position of the Italian society of neurology

This position paper explores the complex issue of Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS) in the context of Neurology. It discusses the legal, ethical, and clinical challenges surrounding PAS, including the role of neurologists in assessing eligibility based on prognosis, decision-making capacity, and functional status. The paper outlines Italy’s legal framework regarding PAS, following a landmark 2019 Constitutional Court ruling, which permits PAS under strict conditions for patients suffering from incurable illnesses. It also compares PAS regulations in other European and non-European countries. The Italian Society of Neurology (SIN) emphasizes the importance of respecting patient autonomy while advocating for comprehensive palliative care (PC). The SIN’s position is that PAS should be legalized under specific circumstances but insists on ensuring equitable access to PC services before considering PAS. Additionally, the SIN supports the training of neurologists in palliative and end-of-life care, underlining the need for careful monitoring and regulation of PAS practices to prevent potential ethical and legal abuses.