THE NEW ITALIAN CODE OF MEDICAL-ETHICS

In June 1995, the Italian code of medical ethics was revised in order that its principles should reflect the ever-changing relationship betw een the medical profession and society and between physicians and pati ents. The updated code is also a response to new ethical problems crea ted by scientific progress; the discussion of such problems often show s up a need for better understanding on the part of the medical profes sion itself. Medical deontology is defined as the discipline for the s tudy of norms of conduct for the health care professions, including mo ral and legal norms as well as those pertaining more strictly to profe ssional performance. The aim of deontology is therefore, the in-depth investigation and revision of the code of medical ethics. It is in the light of this conceptual definition that one should interpret a revie w of the different codes which have attempted throughout the various p eriods of Italy's recent history, to adapt ethical norms to particular social and health care climates.