LÜLEBURGAZ DEVLET HASTANESİ

RIGHT TO CHOOSE A PHYSICIAN

One of the most fundamental patient rights is the right to choose one's physician. To facilitate this right, the "Physician Choice Practice" initiative was launched in 2004 to increase the number of outpatient clinic rooms in hospitals. Key developments in this process are outlined below:

CIRCULAR ISSUED – September 2004

On 8 September 2004, Circular No. 2004/117 on the "Restructuring of Outpatient Services" was published. Hospitals meeting the criteria specified in the circular began displaying the "Right to Choose a Physician" logo.

INPATIENT TREATMENT OPERATION REGULATION – May 2005

The Inpatient Treatment Institutions Operation Regulation was amended to include the following provision:
"In inpatient treatment institutions, arrangements shall be made to ensure that all clinical specialists provide outpatient services, enabling patients to choose their physician."

PHYSICIAN CHOICE DIRECTIVE ISSUED – October 2007

To establish procedures for:

• Patients’ free choice or change of physician,

• Ensuring physicians provide outpatient services accordingly, and

• Developing the necessary infrastructure, personnel, and services,
  the "Directive on Organizing Outpatient Services to Allow Patients to Choose and Change Physicians in Healthcare Delivery" (No. 9379) was published on 17 October 2007.

Scope:

• Primary healthcare centers under the Ministry of Health,

• District hospitals, general hospitals, specialty hospitals, training & research hospitals, and

• Oral and dental health centers.

ORAL AND DENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CIRCULAR – October 2007

Circular No. 21481 (17.10.2007) was issued to implement the practice in oral and dental health centers.

WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL PROVINCES – July 2008

A directive was sent to all governors, instructing hospitals not yet complying to:

1. Maximize physical capacity (including neighborhood clinics) to enable physician choice.

2. Display the "Right to Choose a Physician" logo by 15 September 2008.

3. Submit detailed justification reports to the Ministry if unable to comply.

CURRENT STATUS

International Declarations on Patient Rights:

1. Lisbon Declaration (1981):
   "The patient has the right to freely choose their physician."

2. Amsterdam Declaration (1994):
   "Patients have the right to choose or change their physician or healthcare provider, in line with the healthcare system’s functioning."

3. Bali Declaration (1995):
   "The patient has the right to freely choose or change their physician, hospital, or healthcare institution, regardless of public/private sector. They may seek a second opinion at any stage."