[The role of the physician in addressing suicidal ideation: an anthropological and legal comment.]

This editorial discusses, from an interdisciplinary legal-anthropological perspective, the essay "Medical assistance in dying: just an ethical or legal issue?" by Gristina et al. Starting from a review of the epidemiological data, the authors propose to consider suicidal ideation and suicide in patients affected by chronic-degenerative terminal diseases (CDTD) not only as a consequence of a mental disorder, but as a psychological response to the burden of illness. Their approach, we argue, requires a rethinking of the role of the physician as well as of the therapeutic alliance, which should include active listening and a co-constructed reflection on the end of life. Moreover, the essay offers a change of perspective from which to consider the current debates within the legal and professional fields, raising new challenges not only to medicine, but also to the law and to medical ethics.