[Ethical problems in medical services from the patients' point of view]

There is a paucity of information on the perception of patients about ethical issues in medical practice.

To determine the type and frequency of ethical problems perceived by patients hospitalized in public and private hospitals.

Eighty eight subjects aged 65 years (48% women), admitted to a public hospital and 44 subjects aged 59 years (52% women) admitted to a private clinic answered a survey about ethical problems. The main issues covered were medical information management, participation in decision making and intimacy of patients.

Fifty three percent of patients perceived at least one ethical problem. Patients admitted to the public hospital perceived more communication and intimacy problems than their peers admitted to a private clinic.

Approximately half of the interviewed patients acknowledged the presence of ethical problems, especially in the communication and intimacy areas).