[Patients' rights with and without placement for purposes of assistance]

Swiss adult protection law aims to balance the protection of vulnerable individuals with respect for their autonomy. In clinical practice, the distinction between voluntary admission and placement for purposes of assistance (PAFA) remains complex, with a risk of administrative errors or infringements of patients' fundamental rights. When patients are admitted voluntarily, care is primarily based on their consent. In cases of lack of capacity of judgment, a decision-making cascade is provided by the Civil Code, which physicians are expected to follow when making care-related decisions. When a PAFA measure is ordered, specific rules apply, as outlined in this article.