[Doctor-patient--patient -doctor relationship: an ethical perspective]

In this article the author analyses the doctor-patient and patient-doctor relationship seen from two ethical viewpoints, namely the question of what is the meaning of privacy in the relationship between the doctor and his patient and whether the truth should always be told. The author comes to the conclusion that privacy in the doctor-patient and patient-doctor relationship is no absolute value. Situations do occur when it is in the public interest to make certain information known. Aids is only one example in this context. The author also emphasises that truth is not a dogma, but a Person. Once again it is stated that truth is no absolute value and in some situations it is better not to tell the truth- or what people determine the truth to be.