The publication extensively addresses the essence of the doctor-patient relationship. The fundamental question is - is the relationship between a doctor and a patient a private law contract, or a specific type of legal relationship? The author historically and comparatively demonstrates that the doctor-patient relationship has its firm place in private law - even today. At the same time, the relationship is analyzed in relation to current legal regulations, particularly the Act No. 372/2011 Coll., on Health Services, and the Civil Code, not only the current one but also the new one, which will come into effect on January 1, 2014. It is pointed out that most matters concerning the doctor-patient relationship were originally regulated only at a moral level and were formulated in various ethical codes, which many doctors are not even aware of. The book also discusses, for example, the Hippocratic Oath, its content, and legal bindingness. The development of legal regulation is rapidly moving towards strict legal regulation with corresponding consequences for both parties, that is, for doctors as well as for patients. The reader will thus learn about the rights and obligations of doctors and healthcare personnel, patients (or clients), health insurance companies, and other entities in the provision of health services.
