Human at the Heart of Health: The Meaning of Patient Rights
Patient rights place the individual at the center of healthcare. Regardless of the illness, every person has the right to be respected, informed, protected in terms of privacy, and to receive fair and equitable care. These rights are not only legal obligations but also ethical responsibilities of healthcare professionals. The principles of non-maleficence, beneficence, and autonomy should guide the professional conduct of every healthcare worker. In every field—from physiotherapy to nursing, medicine to psychology—the goal is not only to treat the patient but also to understand, listen, and support them while preserving their dignity in a safe environment.
The Importance of October 26: A Day of Awareness and Value
In 1998, October 26 was declared Patient Rights Day in Turkey. This date serves as a reminder that the healthcare system should operate not only as a structure that treats diseases but also as one grounded in human rights. The Patient Rights Regulation, Basic Law on Health Services, and various ethical declarations in force in Turkey guarantee every patient’s right to information, consent, privacy, complaint, and safe service. However, for these rights to go beyond mere legal texts, healthcare professionals must develop awareness, institutions must foster cultures that uphold these values, and patients must be informed about their own rights.
Ethical Approach in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy is a discipline that requires a long-term relationship between the patient and the healthcare professional. In this process, trust, open communication, and respect are as vital as technical expertise. A physiotherapist should clearly and simply inform the patient about the methods to be used and ensure the patient’s active participation in decision-making. Maintaining privacy during sessions, providing appropriate conditions, and respecting the patient’s personal space are of great importance. Since each individual has unique physical and emotional needs, treatment plans should be tailored personally—reflecting professional care and responsibility. This approach is not only an ethical obligation but also the key to creating a healing environment based on trust.
Implementation in Practice: Challenges and Solutions
The implementation of patient rights can sometimes face challenges such as heavy workloads, time constraints, communication barriers, or institutional limitations. The solution lies in raising awareness. Enhancing communication skills among healthcare professionals, making patient information systems digitally accessible, and providing clear, easy-to-understand educational materials about patient rights are crucial steps. At Istanbul Gelisim University, we educate our students not only with clinical knowledge but also with ethical sensitivity and empathy—because a good physiotherapist heals not only muscles, but also trust, morale, and human dignity.
The Link Between Sustainable Development and Patient Rights
The concept of patient rights is directly related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being aims to ensure that everyone has access to equitable, accessible, and quality healthcare services. Goals such as gender equality, reduced inequalities, and strong institutions are also closely tied to the protection of patient rights. Respecting patient rights is not only an individual ethical behavior but also a fundamental step toward building a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable society.
Looking Ahead: Educating Conscious Health Professionals
As the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (English Program) at Istanbul Gelisim University, our goal is to instill patient rights in our students not merely as a course topic, but as an integral part of their professional identity. Integrating ethical observation into clinical practice, developing patient communication skills, organizing awareness seminars, and encouraging participation in community projects form the foundation of this understanding. Health professionals who act with the awareness that “every patient is first and foremost a human being” carry the spirit of this special day throughout the entire year. On this October 26, we once again emphasize our shared responsibility to uphold human dignity, respect, and trust at the very heart of healthcare.
