What are patients’ rights in Turkey?
Information, choosing your hospital and doctor, consent, privacy, refusing treatment and complaints: patients’ rights in Turkey in plain English.
Short answer
In Turkey, patients’ rights are protected by the Patient Rights Regulation (Hasta Hakları Yönetmeliği). The main rights are: to receive healthcare fairly and equally, to be informed about your health, to choose and change your healthcare institution and doctor, to consent to or refuse medical intervention, to privacy and protection of personal health data, to inspect and obtain copies of your medical records, and to apply and complain if your rights are violated.
Main patients’ rights
| Right | What it means |
|---|---|
| Information | Being informed, in language you understand, about your illness, diagnosis and treatment options, risks and possible outcomes |
| Choice and change | Choosing and changing your healthcare institution and doctor, to the extent the regulations allow |
| Consent | Giving informed consent to medical interventions; refusing or stopping treatment within legal limits |
| Privacy | Being examined and treated in a setting that respects privacy; confidentiality of health information |
| Access to records | Inspecting and obtaining copies of your medical records |
| Safety | Receiving care in a safe environment at the healthcare institution |
| Dignity | Being treated with respect, care and courtesy |
| Religious observance | Access to services in keeping with your faith, as far as possible |
| Application and complaint | Applying to the patient rights unit and relevant authorities if your rights are violated |
Where to apply if your rights are violated
- First, the patient rights unit (hasta hakları birimi) of the healthcare institution
- The provincial health directorate (il sağlık müdürlüğü)
- CİMER (the Presidential Communication Centre) and the Ministry of Health’s contact channels
- For professional ethics issues, the relevant regional medical chamber (tabip odası)
- The courts, where necessary
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Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my doctor at a hospital?
Patients’ rights include choosing your healthcare institution and doctor; however, emergencies, on-call arrangements and the institution’s resources may limit this right.
Can I get a copy of my medical records?
Yes. You have the right to inspect your medical records and obtain copies; many results are also available through e-Nabız (the national e-health portal).
Related questions
- How do I complain about a doctor in Turkey? Where to apply
- How do I get a second medical opinion in Turkey? When should I see another doctor?
- What should I ask my doctor? A checklist for your appointment
- How do I book a state hospital appointment on MHRS in Turkey? What if there are no slots?
- How do I change my family doctor (aile hekimi) in Turkey?
Sources
This content is based on information published by official bodies and on current Turkish legislation; rules and practice may change. Last updated: . To report an error: contact us.
This page is for general information and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. In an emergency, call 112 (Turkey’s free emergency number). En İyi Hekim does not rank doctors as “the best”; positions in listings cannot be bought.