Doctors often assume more rights than they have towards the patient.

What the doctor is allowed to do and what rights the patient has, here:

The doctor may do this

 

• The doctor may choose his patients freely, i.e. he may refuse you as a patient, even if he is the only specialist in the neighbourhood.

• The doctor determines the therapy, so you do not have the right to a specific medication.

• The law does not specify how much time the doctor must have for each patient, but the doctor must explain the diagnosis and treatment to the patient until they have understood it.

• The doctor is not obliged to treat you if you cannot show your insurance card.

• In the case of non-threatening complaints, the doctor may give you an appointment that is not for several weeks. Only if it is an emergency do you have the right to be treated as quickly as possible.

• The doctor at the hospital decides whether the patient can be discharged or requires further treatment.

 

The doctor must not

 

• The doctor may not treat privately insured patients preferentially.

• A doctor is often not happy when a patient wants to get a second opinion from another doctor, but he must accept this. He must issue you with a referral.

• If you have an appointment, the doctor must not make you sit in the waiting room for 2 hours. However, as emergencies take priority, you must tolerate a half-hour wait.

• The doctor may not refuse you access to your medical records. You may even have copies of your medical records made, although the doctor may charge up to €0.50 per sheet. Provided you have the appropriate authorisation, the doctor must also grant you access to the medical records of relatives.