Patients’ Rights are regarded as the reflection of general human rights within the healthcare domain. They aim to ensure that patients receive equitable healthcare, avoid harm, and maintain autonomy. Both
international and
national legal frameworks exist to regulate these rights.
Patients’ rights were first adopted at the
34th World Medical Assembly held in Lisbon in 1981, through the
Lisbon Declaration on the Rights of the Patient. In Turkey, national regulations addressing this issue include the
Medical Deontology Regulation, the
Patients’ Rights Regulation, and the
Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine.
Since 1998,
October 26 has been designated as
Patients’ Rights Day in Turkey. Ensuring the full realization of patients’ rights requires the provision of
equal, high-quality, and accessible healthcare services for all individuals.
Fundamental Patients’ Rights
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Right to Benefit from Healthcare Services: Every individual has the right to access healthcare services without discrimination based on language, religion, race, gender, or socioeconomic status, in accordance with the principles of justice and equity.
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Right to Information and Inquiry: Patients have the right to learn about available healthcare services and to request any information regarding their health status, either orally or in writing.
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Right to Choose and Change Healthcare Providers: Patients are entitled to select and change healthcare institutions and personnel, and to benefit from services provided at the chosen facility.
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Right to Privacy: Patients have the right to receive all healthcare services in an environment that ensures confidentiality.
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Right to Refuse, Suspend, and Consent to Treatment: Patients may refuse or request the discontinuation of treatment and must provide informed consent for any medical intervention.
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Right to Safety: Patients have the right to receive healthcare in a safe environment.
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Right to Fulfill Religious Obligations: Patients may practice their religious duties within the limits of the institution’s facilities and administrative regulations.
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Right to Respect, Dignity, and Comfort: Patients are entitled to receive respectful, attentive, and compassionate healthcare in a polite and considerate setting.
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Right to Visitation and Companionship: Patients may receive visitors and, when medically appropriate and institutionally permitted, have a companion present during their stay.
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Right to Appeal, Complaint, and Legal Action: Patients have the right to seek remedies, file complaints, and pursue legal action in cases of rights violations, within the framework of existing legislation.
Patients’ Responsibilities
In addition to patients’ rights, there are also
patients’ responsibilities, which can be defined as the duties and obligations that patients are expected to fulfill both before and after applying to a healthcare institution.
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General Responsibilities: Individuals should take all necessary measures to maintain their own health and adhere to recommendations for a healthy lifestyle.
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Social Security Status: Patients are responsible for promptly informing the relevant authorities about any changes in their health condition, social security status, or personal information.
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Providing Information to Healthcare Professionals: Patients must provide complete and accurate information regarding their symptoms, past illnesses, previous hospitalizations, medications in use, and all other details relevant to their health status.
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Compliance with Hospital Rules: Patients must comply with institutional rules and procedures. They are expected to cooperate with healthcare personnel throughout the processes of treatment, care, and rehabilitation. If treated in an appointment-based system, patients should adhere to the scheduled date and time and inform the institution of any changes. Patients must respect the rights of hospital staff, other patients, and visitors, and are responsible for compensating any damage they cause to hospital property.
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Adherence to Treatment Recommendations: Patients should carefully follow the advice provided regarding treatment and medication, seek clarification on any unclear instructions, and confirm their understanding of the care and discharge plan. Patients who refuse or fail to comply with recommended treatment are responsible for any adverse outcomes that may arise as a result.
October 26 – Patients’ Rights Day: Equal Healthcare for All
Emphasis on Human Rights in Healthcare
Every year,
October 26 is celebrated in Turkey as
“Patients’ Rights Day.” This day serves as an important reminder of every individual’s right to receive fair, safe, and dignified healthcare services.
Patients’ rights were first internationally recognized through the
Lisbon Declaration on the Rights of the Patient in
1981. In Turkey, these rights have been safeguarded through the
Patients’ Rights Regulation, the
Medical Deontology Regulation, and the
Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine.
Fundamental Rights of Patients
Patients’ rights provide a wide range of legal and ethical guarantees to all individuals receiving healthcare services, including:
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The right to equal and equitable access to healthcare services
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The right to information and informed consent
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The right to privacy and confidentiality
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The right to choose one’s healthcare institution and physician
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The right to receive respectful, safe, and humane treatment
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The right to file complaints and seek legal remedies
These rights ensure that both patients and healthcare professionals act within a framework of
mutual respect and trust, which is essential for the integrity and quality of healthcare delivery.
The Importance of Responsibilities Alongside Rights
Being a patient does not only involve having rights—it also entails
fulfilling certain responsibilities.
Patients should:
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Take care to protect their own health,
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Provide accurate and complete information to healthcare professionals,
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Comply with institutional rules and regulations, and
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Collaborate actively in the treatment process.
The relationship of trust between the patient and healthcare professional is known to have a direct and significant impact on the success of medical treatment.
Accessible Healthcare for Everyone
For patients’ rights to be fully realized, it is essential to ensure
equal, high-quality, and accessible healthcare services for all individuals.
Patients’ Rights Day on October 26 offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen this awareness and promote greater public understanding of human rights within the healthcare system.
