Our patient-laws also reflect international development. If legislation earlier concerned only health care professionals and mainly within the framework of the practice of medical doctors, it now also reaches different areas of treatment and the rights of patients. Patients must be treated as experts whereas their own care is concerned. The enormous progress of medicine and the appearance of alternative forms of treatment have made it more and more important that the patient receives enough information in order to be able to make enlightened decisions. This discussion concerning terminology successfully reflects the development that has taken place within the field of health care.
Health is more than just the absence of disease, and health care is more than just medical services.
I would like to stress that in a world characterised by ever more unrestricted communication and growing regional integration, we cannot over-estimate the importance of global collaboration. Strong networks are needed in the constantly evolving area of medical and health law, said Minister Maija Perho in her opening speech. All rights reserved.