zorgverantwoordelijkheid

Zorgverantwoordelijkheid is the obligation of healthcare professionals and organizations to ensure that care is safe, effective, patient-centered, and ethically sound. It encompasses the duties to diagnose and treat competently, obtain informed consent, protect patient privacy, communicate clearly, and coordinate care across settings.

Responsibilities extend to individual clinicians, institutions, and governance bodies. Clinicians must maintain competence, document care, and avoid conflicts of interest. Organizations are responsible for safe systems, incident reporting, quality assurance, and fair access to services. Patients and families contribute by participating in decision-making and providing accurate information. Regulators and payers set standards and monitor performance.

Legal frameworks commonly address consent, confidentiality, and professional accountability. In the Netherlands, the WGBO regulates the medical treatment contract and informed consent, while the BIG Act oversees professional registration and scope of practice. Data protection laws govern privacy and data handling. Across borders, international quality and patient-safety standards influence practice.

Effective zorgverantwoordelijkheid relies on a culture of safety, transparent reporting of adverse events, open disclosure to patients, and continuous improvement through audits and learning. It also requires balancing patient autonomy with beneficence and equity in access to care.

See also: patient safety, medical ethics, healthcare governance, quality improvement, informed consent, privacy and data protection.