In order for the cooperation between you and the medical center to run smoothly, there are a number of rights and obligations that both parties must adhere to. The rights and obligations are laid down in the Medical Treatment Agreement Act, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Healthcare Quality, Complaints and Disputes Act.
Right to information
You have the right to receive information about your disease or condition, the nature of the proposed tests or treatment, other treatment options, the consequences or possible risks of the treatment or the study, medicines and any side effects. A care provider (everyone professionally involved in your treatment, such as a doctor and nurse) has the duty to explain this to you in understandable language.
The Consent Requirement
An examination or treatment may only take place with your permission. In order to be able to make an informed decision, it is important that you receive good information about the proposed treatment. In the case of radical treatments, the care provider will explicitly ask for your permission. In other cases, the care provider assumes that you give your consent tacitly. For example, if you roll up your sleeve because the care provider wants to draw blood, this shows that you give your consent for the blood to be drawn. In acute situations, the care provider may act without your permission.
Right to privacy
In the interest of your treatment, the medical center records various medical and administrative data about you. Only your attending physician(s) and employees of the medical center who are involved in your treatment have access to this data. They are obliged to maintain the confidentiality of information that they receive in the course of their profession. In addition, you have the right to be examined and treated out of the sight of others. You can also ask to have a meeting with your treating doctor in a separate room.
Duty to pay
You must arrange a financial arrangement that enables you to pay for the care and treatment. If you do not have health insurance, the costs are for your own account. More information about this can be found under Costs and insurance.
Duty to share responsibility
You must inform the care provider clearly and completely so that he or she can make a proper diagnosis and provide expert treatment. You are responsible for following the advice you receive from care providers.
