A human being steps into the world acquiring certain inherent rights simply by virtue of being human. The concept of rights is a universal one. Briefly, a right can be defined as the authority granted to individuals by legal rules. Human rights were first recognized in England in 1215. Officially, the American Bill of Rights and the 1789 French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen were published in the late 18th century. With the establishment of the United Nations, human rights became universal. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was published. Accordingly, it states that everyone is free, dignified, and equal in terms of their rights. Briefly, human rights can be described as all people being inherently equal and free in every aspect. This freedom is balanced by the obligation to respect the rights of others and the necessity of not violating these rights. There are various human rights. Patient rights are also among fundamental human rights.
1) Benefiting from services in general Benefiting from health services within the framework of the principles of justice and equity. Patients have the right to receive services without regard to race, language, religion and sect, gender, philosophical belief, or economic and social status.
2) Information and requesting information Patients have the right to learn what kinds of health services and facilities are available and to request all kinds of information regarding their health status verbally or in writing.
3) Choosing and changing the health institution and its personnel Patients have the right to choose and change the health institution and to benefit from the health services provided in the chosen health facility. They also have the right to learn the identities, duties, and titles of the physicians and other healthcare professionals who will provide or are providing health services, and to choose and change them.
4) Privacy Patients have the right to receive all kinds of health services in an environment that respects confidentiality.
5) Refusal, suspension, and consent Patients have the right to refuse treatment, to request its suspension, to have their consent obtained for medical interventions, and to benefit from services within the framework of this consent.
6) Security Patients have the right to receive health services in a safe environment.
7) Fulfilling religious obligations Patients have the right to fulfill their religious obligations to the extent of the health facility's capabilities and within the framework of the measures taken by the administration.
8) Respect for human values, experiencing dignity, and comfort Patients have the right to receive health services with respect, care, and attention, in a friendly, polite, and compassionate environment where all hygienic conditions are met and all noisy and disturbing factors are eliminated.
9) Having visitors and a companion Patients have the right to receive visitors within the framework of the procedures and principles determined by health facilities, and to have a companion to the extent of the legislation and the health facility's capabilities, provided the physician deems it appropriate.
10) Right to application, complaint, and lawsuit In case of a violation of their rights, patients have the right to exercise all kinds of application, complaint, and lawsuit rights within the framework of the legislation.
Patient Rights Regulation Official Gazette Date: 01.08.1998 Official Gazette No: 23420