[The application of the patients' rights law in psychiatry]

The application of the Israeli law of patients rights in psychiatry raises several dilemmas. These dilemmas include the competence of a psychotic patient to consent to psychiatric hospitalization and the difficulties of sharing information concerning the psychiatric patient with the family although they are essential partners in the rehabilitation process. Another major problem is the loss of confidentiality of minor patients by the parents (or guardians) rights to examine their medical documentation. These issues have detrimental implications on the diagnosis and therapeutic process.