Medically assisted suicide in Italy after regional law No. 16/2025: Perspectives, challenges, and the need for psychological support and specialized training for healthcare professionals.

Abstract

On 11 February 2025, Tuscany became the first region in Italy to approve a law regulating medically assisted suicide. However, the law makes no provision for psychological support or educational and training programs for healthcare professionals involved in the procedure. Studies from countries where assisted suicide has long been legal highlight its significant psychological and emotional impact on care providers. In response, various forms of psychological support have been implemented to help and protect healthcare staff from the side effects of these events. Moreover, specialized training programs have been developed to equip healthcare providers with the necessary skills to handle assisted suicide requests appropriately. Tuscany's initiative may pave the way for other regions to adopt similar measures and, ideally, for a parliamentary law to regulate the practice nationwide. Therefore, this paper strongly argues that the inclusion of structured psychological support and specialized training programs is a fundamental requirement for developing an ethical, sustainable, and comprehensive end-of-life framework in Italy.