[The guardianship law and physician's responsibility].

From 1992 a new law regulating the taking care of another person's legal and personal affairs and nursing problems has become effective. The aim of this law is to establish an individual and respectful relationship between the patient in care and the appointed person. The appointed person has to emphathize with the patient in his care to a degree where he is able to make decisions that reflect the individual lifestyle and life history of the patient in care. Fundamentally, it is the patient's right to make his own decisions about medical treatment according to tis own experience, personal values and emotions. If the patient is unable to make his own decisions for health reasons a caretaking person is appointed by decree. In respecting the patient's will stringent standards are necessary. The new law offers possibilities of freedom of decision and self-responsibility that should never be restricted again.