What are Patient Rights
In Turkey, Patient Rights are regulated under the Regulation on Patient Rights dated 01.08.1998 and numbered 23420.
MAIN PRINCIPLES
•
The principle of respect for the right to a healthy life
– The principle of protection and development of material and moral existence
– The principle of equal treatment of patients
– The principle of seeking the patient’s consent
– The principle of non-subjectisation of the patient
– The principle of respect for private life (privacy)
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
1: RIGHT TO BENEFIT FROM HEALTH SERVICES
Patients should benefit from health services within the framework of the principles of justice and equity.
Patients should be informed about the health services offered to them and how they can benefit from them in the easiest and most comprehensive manner by the units established by health institutions.
Patients must be given the right to choose and change their health institution to the extent permitted by the legislation.
Health institutions shall provide informative information about physicians and other health personnel in a way to enable patients to exercise their right to choose and change health personnel.
With the exception of the elderly and disabled, and emergency and judicial cases, the order of treatment of patients should be based on medical criteria and be objective.
Patients have the right to diagnosis, treatment and care in accordance with medical necessity.
It is forbidden to intervene in patients for reasons other than medical necessity.
Health professionals are obliged to protect the patient’s health and relieve suffering.
Euthanasia is prohibited.
2: RIGHT TO INFORMATION
Every patient has the right to request oral and written information about his/her health condition, medical procedures to be applied to him/her, their benefits and risks, alternative treatment methods and the course of the disease. The patient may also receive information from another physician.
The patient has the right to examine the files and records kept on his/her health status, to take samples and to object. Informing the patient should be done in a clear, understandable and courteous manner.
The diagnosis of a grave disease that may demoralise the patient and increase his/her illness should be kept from the patient.
Except in cases where precautions must be taken for public health reasons, the patient has the right to request that no information about his/her health condition be given to him/her, his/her family or relatives
3: RESPECT FOR THE PATIENT'S PRIVATE LIFE, RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
All medical interventions shall be carried out in respect of the patient’s right to privacy.
Carrying out medical evaluations regarding the patient’s health status in confidentiality; allowing the patient to have a relative with him/her during treatment if there is no inconvenience, not allowing people who are not directly related to the patient to be present during treatment, not interfering with the patient’s personal life preference or family life, keeping the source of the patient’s health expenditures confidential are among the patient rights within the scope of the right to privacy.
Personal information obtained from the patient for the purpose of providing healthcare services cannot be disclosed, and the patient’s identity cannot be deciphered in educational and research activities without the patient’s consent.
4: THE RIGHT TO MEDICAL INTERVENTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE PATIENT
Consent of the patient is mandatory for all medical interventions. The consent of the legal representatives of minor or restricted patients is obtained. In this case, minors are also properly informed.
Medical intervention may be possible without the consent of the patient only in cases where precautions are required for public health and due to medical necessity.
Except in cases of medical necessity and emergencies, the patient may withdraw his/her consent to medical intervention at any time.
Except for public health measures, the patient has the right to withhold or refuse treatment, provided that he/she is reminded of his/her responsibility.
The consent of the patient must also be obtained for the application of new treatment procedures to the patient where it has been revealed that the classical treatment method is not beneficial and the new method has the possibility of benefiting the patient and its benefit has been determined on experimental animals.
In family planning services, no medicines or devices other than those specified by the Ministry of Health may be used.
In sterilisation and termination of pregnancy, the consent of the patient and her/his spouse must be obtained.
5: RIGHT TO PROTECTION OF PATIENT HEALTH IN MEDICAL RESEARCH
No patient may be subjected to a medication or medical intervention for educational or research purposes without the authorisation of the Ministry and his/her consent.
If it is not possible to determine in advance the damages that may be suffered by volunteers participating in medical research, they cannot be made the subject of research even if they consent. The volunteer may withdraw his/her consent at any time.
OTHER RIGHTS
Right to Security Health institutions are obliged to ensure the safety of life and property of patients and their relatives.
The Right to Fulfil Religious Obligations and Benefit from Religious Services: Provided that it does not harm the functioning of the health institution and does not disrupt the treatment, a religious official in accordance with their beliefs should be invited to the patients who request it and a suitable place should be allocated for religious obligations.
Respect for Human Values and the Right to Visit: Health personnel are obliged to treat patients, their relatives and visitors with friendliness, kindness and compassion, and to provide enlightening information. Patients have the right to receive health care in health institutions in an environment befitting human dignity, where all necessary hygienic conditions are provided and noise and all other disturbing factors are eliminated.
Right to have a Companion: A companion may be requested to assist the patient during the examination or treatment, to the extent permitted by the legislation and the facilities of the institution and required by the patient’s health condition, depending on the approval of the physician responsible for the treatment.
Right to receive services outside the health institution and organisation: Patients may also benefit from health services in the places where they are located in the provision of preventive health services, in cases where they cannot or cannot be taken to a health institution due to medical reasons, and in extraordinary situations such as natural disasters.
Right of Application, Complaint and Litigation: In case of violation of patient rights of the patient and those related to the patient