ETHICAL DIMENSION IN THE CLINIC RELATIONSHIP FROM THE PATIENTS’ OR THEIR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES’ PERSPECTIVE

Objectives: The clinic relationship is established upon ethical principles, which are recognized in Uruguay nowadays. This regulation provides the children with active participation in the decisions about their health. This study explored the relationship between some clinical situations with adults, minors and/or their legal representatives and the regulations (Health Service Users’ Rights).
OBJETIVES: To know if the patients are taken into consideration in the diagnostic and/or therapeutic decision-making; how is the informed consent performed; if alternatives, risks and complications are contemplated; if confidentiality is respected; if beneficial or harmful actions are identified; if the patients autonomy is respected and if they receive equitable treatment.

Methods: METHODS: A descriptive, transversal and quantitative study was made; a questionnaire was applied. Sample: 30 adult and 30 minor patients. Statistic analysis with Epidata 3.1.

Results: RESULTS: 66.7% of the adults didn’t know their rights. 70% of the minors’ responsibles declared to know them. 43% of the practice demonstrations and photography in adults were done without permission and the same occurred in 60% of the minors. 23% of the adults were never told about risks and complications in their treatment. 86,7% of the minors’ responsible think that medical secret is kept. 100% of the patients answered positively to the fact that there were beneficial actions.

Conclusions: CONCLUSIONS: The study showed different aspects of the clinic relationship; the informed consent not always contemplates de patient’s autonomy (adult or minor). A high percentage of the patients affirmed that there were beneficial actions.