Freedom of Choice in Doctors and Hospitals

The right to choose a doctor plays a prominent role among patient rights, providing patients with the opportunity to select a physician who can communicate with them in Hungarian and who meets their medical needs. This right not only signifies the freedom of choice but also reflects the legal and ethical protection of patients, allowing them to actively participate in their own healing process.

For patients, it is important to be aware of the framework within which they can exercise this right. The range of healthcare services available in Hungary is broad, and patients have the right to choose the doctor and institution that best suits their needs. However, it is essential to consider their health condition during the selection process, as in cases of emergency care, the freedom to choose a doctor or institution may not always be possible.

Within the framework provided by the laws, it is clearly established how patients can exercise their right to choose a doctor and under what conditions they can change their doctor or institution.

The Framework of the Right to Choose a Doctor

The referral by the general practitioner plays a key role in the exercise of patients’ right to choose a doctor. When the general practitioner refers a patient to a relevant healthcare inpatient institution, the patient is free to choose their treating physician from among the doctors available. This option ensures that patients can select a specialist with whom they can collaborate effectively and whom they trust.

If the patient is not satisfied with the chosen doctor or does not wish to work with them for personal reasons, they have the right to seek a new doctor. This process is important, as mutual trust and satisfaction with the doctor are essential for the patient’s health condition and the effectiveness of treatment. Patients can seek another doctor regarding any diagnosis, therapeutic suggestion, or treatment option if they feel that the current treatment is inadequate.

This system allows patients to actively participate in managing their health and to question medical decisions if they feel that they do not serve their best interests. Thus, the right to choose a doctor is not merely a theoretical possibility but a significant aspect of healthcare that is realized in practice.

The Rules of Choosing an Institution

The exercise of the right to choose an institution is also an important part of patient rights. Patients are entitled to receive necessary treatments at their preferred healthcare institution, regardless of whether it is the institution listed on the referral or not. This right can be particularly relevant if the patient wishes to choose an institution that better meets their needs or where the waiting time is shorter.

The doctor issuing the referral is obliged to consider the patient’s wishes and, if possible, refer them to an institution where they can receive the best care. The referring doctor must ensure that the chosen institution can accommodate the patient and must confirm this in writing. To ensure transparency in the selection process, the referring doctor must document the history of the inquiry and the choice in the patient’s medical records.

It is important to mention that hospitals and outpatient clinics can only accept patients outside their territorial jurisdiction if they have sufficient capacity to treat the new incoming patients without jeopardizing the care of those already being treated there. This aspect ensures that patients not only exercise their right to choose but also receive an appropriate level of care at the chosen institution. The conscious exercise of the right to choose an institution can contribute to patient satisfaction and their recovery.