Patient rights
The rights everyone receiving healthcare holds under Turkish regulation, and what they mean in the context of endoscopic procedures.
The rights below are summarised from the Patient Rights Regulation in force in Türkiye. They apply wherever you are treated.
The right to be informed
You have the right to information about your own health. That information:
- Must be given in language you can understand — it cannot be brushed aside with medical terminology
- Must cover the course of the illness, the proposed procedure, the alternatives, and what happens if nothing is done
- Includes having your questions answered
You also have the right not to be informed, and that choice must be respected.
The right to consent
No medical procedure may be carried out without your agreement. The informed consent form you sign for an endoscopic procedure is not a formality:
- You have the right to read it and to ask questions before signing
- The risks of the procedure must be explained to you plainly
- You may withdraw consent at any point before the procedure begins
Before you sign the consent form
Do not hesitate to ask: Why is this procedure being recommended for me? What happens if it is not done? Is there an alternative? Will I be sedated? When and how will I get the result? Getting answers is your right; giving them is the physician’s obligation.
The right to privacy and confidentiality
Your health information is confidential. Your privacy must be protected during examination and procedures, and your records must not be shared with third parties without your permission.
The right to choose your provider
You are entitled to choose the institution and the physician who treat you, and to seek a second opinion. Asking for a second opinion is not an expression of distrust in your doctor — it is a recognised patient right.
The right to refuse treatment
You may refuse a proposed treatment or procedure. If you do, the possible consequences will be explained to you and your refusal recorded in writing. Refusing cannot be used as grounds to deny you healthcare afterwards.
The right of access to your records
You have the right to inspect your medical records and to receive a copy. You may request copies of your endoscopy report, your pathology result and the images from your procedure.
The right to complain
If you believe your rights have been breached, you can go to:
- The patient rights unit of the institution treating you
- The Ministry of Health helpline, SABİM 184
- The Presidential Communication Centre, CİMER
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