Physicians’ Practice and Protection of Patients’ Rights and of the Physicians’ Responsibility in View of Statutory Polish Laws

Abstract

Practicing the profession of a physician is associated with the human life and health protection. Attempts have been made to define rules that the physician should follow and embody these rules in both ethical and legal framework. Protection of life and health is one of the fundamental human rights and an obligation of the state guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, hence provisions governing this area are included in many pieces of legislation. In practicing his or her profession, the physician bears civil, criminal and professional responsibility. Civil responsibility involves responsibility for any damage that occurs as a result of an adequate causal link. Criminal-law life and health is regulated in detail by penal code. Professional responsibility is executed by the Chamber of Physicians. Statutory laws concern the physician’s responsibility and patient’s rights. There are new domains in medicine which require new solutions.