PALLIATIVE CARE IN ITALY - THE CURRENT SITUATION

Palliative care was initiated in Italy towards the end of the 1970s, m ainly through the efforts of Professor Ventafridda and his colleagues. This article describes some of the most important seeps made in this country to gain widespread acceptance for the principles and practice of palliative care. After about 15 years the Italian situation is stil l confusing. While some Regions have made progress, others are far fro m reaching even minimal goals. The efforts of many charities and of th e Italian Society for Palliative Care and the Italian School for Palli ative Medicine, have been huge, but still not sufficient to promote wi despread involvement of the National Health Authorities. In the absenc e of clear Regional and central laws, the recent changes in the Italia n health system combined with increasing financial difficulties threat en the advances already made.