Dermatológia pre prax 2-3/2013

Medico-legal context of health care for patients with sexually transmitted diseases

Health care for patients with sexually transmitted diseases has specific medico-legal particularities. The necessity of its appliance, in accordance with the current legislation, requires not only medical knowledge but also the knowledge of the relevant legal context of health professionals in order to avoid the risk of criminal law prosecution. Competencies and rights of doctors while trying to protect the health and life of the patient itself as well as its surroundings and other populations, are significantly complicated by the ambiguous and professionally confusing legislation.

Keywords: sexually transmitted diseases, criminal law, confidentiality of health care workers.