Stakeholder approach in strengthening the patients' rights in the Slovak Republic

Objectives: The described project aimed to promote patients' rights in the Slovak Republic that are stipulated by law but in practice not observed fully. Background. The project was based on a bi-lateral agreement between the Netherlands and the Slovak Republic in the framework of European Union pre-accession program and implemented in the period from January 2002 to June 2003. Methods: Successful Dutch models of patients' rights promotion were used. They were applied under Slovak conditions and focused on the areas in the greatest need of attention, such as information campaigning and public awareness of patients' rights issues. The initiation of a cooperation of various stakeholders active in healthcare and national patients' right forums was among the most positive aspects of the project. Results: The information campaign was constructed in order to educate citizens about their entitlements and rights within healthcare. Healthcare professionals were trained on respecting the rights of their clients. Pilots were started in several hospitals and in Healthy City projects, and patients' rights modules were made available at educational centers and various private and health organizations. Some of the cooperating healthcare professionals expressed their fear that the public might misuse the gained advocacy skills. This idea has originated from the current situation in Slovak healthcare, where inadequate financing, education, and management is a barrier in the physician's ability to serve the patient's best interest. Conclusions: The implemented project started wide public discussion on patients' rights and stimulated a cooperation of a large number of stakeholders in the promotion of patients' rights (Tab. 2, Ref. 13).