Footnotes

• JH and MM are joint first authors.

• Contributors All authors significantly contributed to the writing of this editorial.

• Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

• Disclaimer The Authors have read and understood BMJ policy on declaration of interests. We are partners of the We Distress HELL Project (WEllness and DISTRESS in HEalth care professionals dealing with end of Life and bioethicaL issues) approved by the Italian Maugeri Ethical Committee (Protocol N° 2211CE).

• Competing interests None declared.

• Patient consent for publication Not required.

• Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.