Patient Information And Education

Patient information and education

Many people have a good basis of trust with their doctor. But they also want to know about the advantages and disadvantages of treatment and, as a responsible patient, have a say in what happens to their body.

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• Scope of education
• Understandable content
• Forms of patient information
• Further information rights

The patient's right to self-determination and information (section 4 of the patient's charter) is expressly stated in the patient charter. This includes that someone may only be treated with his / her consent. However, consent for treatment is only effective if detailed information has been given in advance. Exceptions are emergencies or when a person is no longer conscious.

Scope of education

Patient education includes information about

• Diagnosis and treatment options as well as their
• Risks and Consequences.

The diagnostic information should contain information about the findings. With the information about the treatment, the patient must also be informed about treatment alternatives and the omission of the proposed treatment, including possible side effects or health impairments. Patients also have a right to know how they can support the treatment themselves, for example through a healthy lifestyle. And they are to be informed in advance of the costs that they are likely to incur.

If treatment is refused, the patient must be made aware of the associated consequences.

Note The patient's refusal of treatment can also have consequences, for example the suspension of sick pay.

The extent of the information provided depends on the individual case: How mild or severe is the disease and how urgent is treatment required? The more acute a disease, the less extensive the information can be.

Understandable content

The information must be provided in an appropriate manner so that it can be understood by the person concerned - even without medical training. The information, namely the circumstance itself, the content and the special circumstances of the consultation (such as certain queries or comments from the patient, etc.) must be clearly documented by the doctor.

Forms of patient information

The information about a treatment must be given personally in one-to-one discussions. In any case, the information must be provided in good time and must give the patient sufficient time to make a decision. In many hospitals, printed information sheets or brochures are handed out to support the medical consultation. Information events for groups are also offered for certain interventions. However, this patient information is not a substitute for the necessary personal consultation with a doctor. In any case, the patient has a right to medical information from an authorized doctor.

Further information rights

Doctors are obliged to provide their patients or their legal representatives with information about ongoing treatment. The right to self-determination and information includes the possibility of inspecting the documentation, making copies and receiving copies for reimbursement of costs.