Last update:
19-Sep-2022

Modernization of the laws concerning patients' rights is needed in Cyprus. This study presents interviews with representatives of nine relevant professions, specifically, lawyer, physician, nurse, sociologist, theologist, educator and members of patient unions. A simple questionnaire, with four open-ended questions was provided, with a request for comments on the utility of the current law, whether the law has become old-fashioned, if the law contains any oversights, and an invitation for suggestions concerning its modernization. From the above disciplines, all associated with the question in hand, 16 individuals were approached, of whom nine agreed to be interviewed. Most interviewees agreed on the significant utility of the current legislation on patients' rights, but agreed that further improvements have become a necessity, and that patients now hold more autonomy over medical decisions. The interviewees also agreed that amendments and updates of the existing patients' rights law are an urgent necessity, as are further audit amendments. Most commonly, it was proposed that the results of complaints investigations should be published and disseminated, and that the theory and experience acquired by the implementation of General Health System should be taken into account. Recommendations were that future legislation should include provisions that doctors and nurses should fully respect the refusal of patients to accept treatment, and that patients themselves should participate in health care policy making. The most common comment was that expansion and modernization of the patients' rights law are a necessity. Further audit amendments to the existing law are also considered necessary. In conclusion, experience derived from implementation of the General Health System in Cyprus should be taken into account in the formulation of a new patients' rights law, and new legislation should include a clause that doctors and nurses should respect the refusal of patients to treatment, and stipulate that patients should officially take part in health care policy making.

Key words: Cyprus law of 2004 (1(I)/2005), Medical law and ethics, Patients' rights.