Patients and doctors have the same objectives, namely the prevention of illness, its diagnosis, treatment, cure or palliative care.

Good communication between doctor and patient and a relationship of trust is crucial to a successful therapeutic outcome. Personal consultations between patient and doctor are especially important as they are the foundation of the respect, trust and cooperation that is required during treatment.

Patients must fully understand medical advice in order to give informed consent. This means that they must be able to converse with the doctor freely and be able to understand what they are being told by the doctor during consultations.

Extract from Patient Rights in Germany