THE RIGHT TO MEDICAL INFORMATION OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
THE RIGHT TO MEDICAL INFORMATION OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Summary/Abstract: The study examines the extent of children’s rights to medical information, considered a condition of self-determination. The author would like to study the implementation-level of this right as applied by children, to research attitudes of parents and medical personnel and finally to verify if there are any shortcomings of legal background. Quantitative methods were used and the results were evaluated with comprehensive descriptive statistics. A number of 600 questionnaires were applied on three different target categories: health professionals, parents and children. Accessing medical information is essential for health-related decisions taken by the autonomous child. This fundamental right derives from human rights and allows for each person to gain access to his own medical data, diagnosis and different treatment-options. In absence of necessary medical information nobody could be able to take responsible health-decisions. Medical information coming from physicians should be correct and integral. This information must reach the child no matter if directly or through his parents. We can only speak about the effectiveness of this right when the transmitted information is understood by the child. There are still problems with incomplete or inappropriate legal definitions, medical staff is not properly educated and sometimes loses his interests. The author has identified the major causes of defective information. As a conclusion, parents have a great responsibility and active role in transmitting medical information to the child.

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