title: A "pitiful death": is it the response to a "painful life"?
abstract: The problem of pain and suffering in the terminal phase of illness such as cancer or Aids has not received adequate attention and has not been given valid solutions. The author tries to offer a new interpretation key for the problem starting from the Good Samaritan Novel that is considered a clear example of the capability of bringing help and assistance in concrete terms. The request for euthanasia will never be considered a superfluous problem unless a patient can receive concrete answers to his physical and emotional suffering and to the problem of his personal "quality of life".
authors.affiliation: Pain Center Stabilimento Ospedaliero Santa Croce, USSL 58, Cuneo, Italy.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Beltrutti
mesh_terms: D005065:Euthanasia; D049691:History, Medieval; D006761:Hospitals / Q000266:history; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009426:Netherlands; D010148:Intractable Pain; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012297:Right to Die; D013315:Stress, Psychological