Patient rights: special reference to the Ecuadorian legislation

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the rights that a patient has in the health care system in the Republic of Ecuador. There are many dilemmas that arise when a patient rejects a medical treatment. This approach is usually an inconvenience not only for doctor but also for the patient and by extension to the judge on duty. When we speak about refusal of medical treatment, in most cases, this triggers different opinions and arguments can arise. One of the most common situations in the hospitals of Ecuador occurs when a person who is a Jehovah’s Witness rejects a blood transfusion, which goes against his or her conscience educated by means of the Bible. In this article we will discuss how the Ecuadorian legislation aims to achieve a doctor-patient relationship based on cooperation and respect.