title: [Living Will: a conscious choice? Survey on knowledge of Italian people].
abstract: In a scientifically and technologically advanced context, where it is possible to postpone death at our will, the life will may be a tool for guaranteeing the patient's right and freedom to decide on whether and how to be cured. Debate regarding the life will is extremely important but a very delicate issue. This study describes the results of  a survey  performed on 200 people living in Central Italy using an ISPO 2009 questionnaire.Its aims were:  to analyze the feelings of Italians on the questions surrounding the end of life;  examine the doctor-patient relationship and the life will;  find out how knowledge has changed since 2009;  record opinions on a law governing the life will  and how opinions have changed since 2009. Results showed that knowledge of the life will and its various aspects was severely lacking and that there has been no improvement in such  knowledge since 2009 . There is a significant gap to be filled  regarding end of life issues and, given their constant presence at this time,  nurses could play an important role.
authors.affiliation: Laureato all'Università La Sapienza di Roma.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lippo
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zenobi
authors.forename: Maria Giuseppe
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Amato
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D016224:Living Wills; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult