Mapping enforcement systems for patients’ rights in 30 European countries: David Shaw

摘要: BackgroundThe enjoyment of patients’ rights as enshrined in European jurisdictions is very much dependent on the linked enforcement systems to allow patients to exercise those rights. Patients’ rights laws remain a ‘toothless tiger’if not paired with effective enforcement procedures so that patients can invoke their rights practically. Therefore, for a full picture of the patients’ rights situation in European countries an analysis of the respective law enforcement systems is inevitable.MethodsThe enforcement systems for patient rights in 30 European Countries (EU member states, Norway, Iceland) were assessed by survey among patient rights’ experts along with the patients’ rights itself. Results were analysed with regard to its functions (complain, redress, information on rights) and the mechanisms used. A workshop in September 2015 served to discuss preliminary findings with stakeholders from different backgrounds …