Abstract

GARCIA MILLAN, Ángel. Information to the Patient as a cornerstone for Quality Healthcare. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2009, vol.2, n.6, pp.275-279. ISSN 2386-8201.

The medical information provided to the patient or health service user may contribute to improving the development of the healthcare process, improving relationships between the healthcare professionals and the patient, and therefore have an affect on the quality of the service. Statutory law defines medical information as part of the lex artis that all healthcare professionals must comply with and establishes some minimum quality norms. This information which must be provided to the patient (except for certain exceptions covered by regulation), includes the aim of the intervention, the risks and its nature. Furthermore, it has to be true, understandable for the patients and appropriate to their personal and social circumstances. All healthcare professionals who intervene in a healthcare process are required to inform the patient, within their area of competence, even though a doctor responsible for the process exists, which is not always easy to establish (when different services intervene in the same healthcare process). Equally important is to reflect on the right of the patient not to be informed. This right is limited in those cases that are in the interest of the health of the patient him/herself of a third party or a group. Complying with these minimum requirements implies a change in the way healthcare professionals work and that public authorities carry out the necessary actions so that these quality information standards are effectively implemented.

Keywords : Information; Patient Rights; Quality of Health Care.

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