[The rights of patients--medical concerns]

The protection of patients rights is neither a new concern nor a limited to Belgium one. The study shows that, at all times, the doctors have been worried about the necessity of respect of the patients. This respect is inherent to the confidence patients have in the doctors. The study also explains that the policy framework on the rights of the patients has been developed in the world and in particular, in Europe, after World War II. In a third part, the belgian legislative initiatives are commented according to the opinions of famous legal writers. Finally, the study emphasizes the fact that it is necessary to stimulate dialogue-structures for doctors and patients and that we have to avoid too rigid rules.