Attitudes towards death and dying in a representative sample of the Italian population

This study investigated attitudes in Italy towards incurable disease, death and dying, and analyses the answers given to questions regarding the end of life and the care of the terminally ill patient. Of 1011 people invited to take part in this study, 829 (82%) agreed to participate. People were interviewed about the images associated with death (47% of those interviewed associated death with cancer); telling the truth to the dying patient (13% were in favour of being made aware of their impending death); the place of death (62% preferred home, 7% hospital); the attitudes of the carers (38% affirmed that pain should be alleviated, without considering the length of life, while 8% stated that they would be prepared to bear physical suffering if it meant prolongation of life) and religious faith (88% of those interviewed declared themselves Christian). Comparing our data with a previous survey, carried out in 1988, we conclude that only small changes have occurred in attitudes in the intervening 11 years: a slight increase in those who said that they think 'often' or 'sometimes' about death (53% in 1999, 44% in 1988) and an increase in the number of people who associate the causes of death with cancer (47% in 1999, 36% in 1988). The fear has diminished of AIDS (5% versus 8%) and war (5% versus 12%) as causes of death. It is concluded that such studies will serve not simply to provide indicators of public tendencies or public interest in the problem, but will constitute a tool whereby those attitudes which merit close observation can be identified and, where necessary, changed.