The relationship between a physician and a patient has always been a centre of medical attention. Application of modern technologies enables a physician to receive a clear picture of a patient’s health rather than become concerned about his/her personal feelings. The solution of physician–patient ethical problems is not possible without state economical, political and legal measures.

Aim of the study. To assess the ethical aspects of physician-patient relationship of Prienai Primary Health Care Centre from the patients’ attitude.

Methods. In January – February 2007, a survey was conducted in order to receive the opinion from Prienai district residents, who visited a GP (n=304). Statistical analysis package SPSS (9.0) was used to analyse the data. Dependence of two symptoms was researched with of the Chi-Square test (χ²). Zero hypothesis was rejected, when p<0,05.

Results. A greater part of elderly and young people who have a higher or primary education and high income were satisfied with physician–patient relationship and gave favourable assessment of the administration of the relationship. Middle-aged people who have secondary education and low income were most dissatisfied with the above mentioned. Most favourable opinion about the legal matters was provided by the oldest and youngest group of the city respondents who have high income, whereas middle-aged senior country people who have low income were dissatisfied with the legal matters.

Conclusions. The patients were generally satisfied with their GP’s personal qualities and humane attitude, with his/her qualifications while diagnosing, as well as giving prescriptions. However, they were not content with the only one way of treatment, also the lack of doctor’s interest towards the recovery. According to the results a doctor spends a lot of time on other things not exactly related to the patient himself, like filling in the papers, which has a negative effect on the quality of physician-patient relationship. Patients have right to decide which GP to choose but they don’t have sufficient information on Patient Right and Damage on Health Reimbursement Law, patient rights and possibilities to choose a way of treatment and are not happy about lack of their personal information security.

Raktažodžiai: physician-patient relationship, patients’ rights, patients’ knowledge, medical ethics, administration of physician-patient relations