[Patients' rights in the hospital. An empirical analysis based on new Finnish legislation]

In Finland a new law on patients' rights was stated in 1993. In this article the rights are described, as experienced by patients themselves (n = 204). The data were collected by using a structured questionnaire. The content of the questionnaire was formulated according four themes: right to good care and treatment, right to information, to self-determination and awareness of the new law. Based on the results, the patients are rather satisfied with their treatment, care and information given. Referring to relatives there are some problems in information. The patients were aware especially about their right to secrecy and to refuse for being a teaching patient. The study will be replicated after three years.