The Perception of Patients' Rights among Belgian Population

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and perception of specific patients’ rights and the problems experienced with their fulfilment among the Belgian population. Participants were recruited through patient association groups and health insurance companies. They completed an Internet-based questionnaire with 20 questions concerning patients’ rights. In total, 309 persons completed all questions. The mean age of participants was 46 years (SD=15), 58% of them were women. Participants judged patients’ rights concerning the end of life (88%), affordable health care (87%) and information about health status (85%) as the most important issues. Participants particularly showed concern about their legal rights for care offered in the patients’ own language (21%), euthanasia (15%) and affordable health care (14%). The most important problems experienced so far were related to care offered in the patients’ own language (12%), affordable health care (11%) and access to their medical file (7%).