Article 15 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
المادة 15 من نظام مزاولة المهن الصحية
The article requires the healthcare practitioner to carry out diagnosis with the necessary care using suitable technical means and those the case calls for, and to give the patient what they request about their condition and test results, accurately and objectively.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على الممارس الصحي أن يجري التشخيص بالعناية اللازمة مستعينًا بالوسائل الفنية الملائمة، وبمن تستدعي ظروف الحالة الاستعانة بهم من الأخصائيين أو المساعدين، وأن يقدم للمريض ما يطلبه عن حالته الصحية، ونتائج الفحوصات مراعيًا في ذلك الدقة والموضوعية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 15 explained in plain English
This article deals with the stage of diagnosis and the patient's right to information.
First: how diagnosis is carried out. The healthcare practitioner must carry out diagnosis:
- with the necessary care, neither rushing nor neglecting.
- using suitable technical means, such as tests and devices appropriate to the case.
- using those the circumstances of the case call for, whether specialists or assistants.
Second: the patient's right to information. The practitioner must give the patient what they request about:
- their health condition.
- the results of tests.
In doing so they must observe accuracy and objectivity, neither exaggerating nor downplaying.
The article does not specify the form in which the information is given (orally or in writing), but speaks of giving the patient what they request. It follows Article 14, which lists prohibitions including employing unlicensed persons and using prohibited devices, and precedes Article 16, which allows the practitioner to decline to treat a patient for acceptable professional or personal reasons other than in critical or urgent cases. Anyone who believes their diagnosis was made without the necessary care may consult a lawyer specialized in healthcare practice and medical malpractice cases.
Practical example
Mona had blood tests done at a hospital in Dammam and asked the physician to explain the results to her. The physician must give her what she asked for about her condition and test results, accurately and objectively, without hiding from her what she asked about or exaggerating it.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 15 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
Does a patient have the right to know their test results?
Yes. The healthcare practitioner must give the patient what they request about their health condition and test results, observing accuracy and objectivity.
How must a doctor carry out diagnosis?
With the necessary care, using suitable technical means and those the circumstances of the case call for, whether specialists or assistants.
More articles on Duties of the Healthcare Practitioner
- Article 5
The article requires the healthcare practitioner to practice for the benefit of the individual and society, respecting human life, safety and dignity, observing prevailing customs, and avoiding exploitation.
يزاول الممارس الصحي مهنته لمصلحة الفرد والمجتمع في نطاق احترام حق الإنسان في الحياة وسلامته وكرامته، مراعيًا في عمله العادات والتقاليد السائدة في المملكة مبتعدً
- Article 6
The article requires the healthcare practitioner to assist the competent authorities in protecting public health and warding off the dangers that threaten it in peace and in war.
يلتزم الممارس الصحي بمعاونة السلطات المختصة في أداء واجبها نحو حماية الصحة العامة، ودرء الأخطار التي تهددها في السلم والحرب.
- Article 7
The article requires the healthcare practitioner to develop their knowledge and follow developments in their specialty, requires facilities to facilitate their attendance at courses, and prohibits unrecognized or prohibited diagnosis and treatment methods.
أ - يجب على الممارس الصحي أن يعمل على تنمية معلوماته، وأن يتابع التطورات العلمية والاكتشافات الحديثة في مجال تخصصه، وعلى إدارات المنشآت الصحية تسهيل حضوره للندو
- Article 8
The article requires a healthcare practitioner who witnesses or knows that a patient or injured person is in a critical condition to give possible assistance or make sure the person receives the necessary care.
يجب على الممارس الصحي الذي يشهد أو يعلم أن مريضًا أو جريحًا في حالة خطرة أن يقدم له المساعدة الممكنة، أو أن يتأكد من أنه يتلقى العناية الضرورية.
- Article 9
The article requires medical work to aim always at the patient's interest, and prevents the healthcare practitioner from doing work beyond their specialty or means except in a case of necessity.
أ - يجب أن يستهدف العمل الطبي دائمًا مصلحة المريض، وعلى الممارس الصحي أن يبذل جهده لكل مريض. ب - لا يجوز للممارس الصحي- في غيرحالة الضرورة- القيام بعمل يجاوز اخ
- Article 11
The article requires the healthcare practitioner, immediately on examining a patient suspected of being injured by a crime or of having an infectious disease, to notify the competent security and health authorities; the Minister sets the diseases, the authority and the procedures.
يجب على الممارس الصحي فور معاينته لمريض مشتبه في إصابته جنائيًّا، أو إصابته بمرض معد؛ أن يبلغ الجهات الأمنية والصحية المختصة، ويصدر الوزير قرارًا بتحديد الأمراض
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.