[Board review of forensic and medical ethics proceedings initiated against doctors in Hungary (2024-2025)].

In the last decades, the Medical Research Council (ETT) has primarily conducted a board-level research ethical reviews of clinical trials, in addition to which it provided a board of forensic medical experts' opinions in court and official procedures. Since 2023, the responsibilities have been expanded to include medical ethical issues. These completely different procedures require decisions and positions of bodies consisting of members invited or elected based on different criteria. Within the profession, members of the committees tasked with investigating medical ethical complaints are elected on the basis of collegial trust in free, direct and secret elections. Following meritocracy and nominations based on professional excellence, someone is appointed to the research ethics bodies of the ETT and to the Forensic Expert Body (ISZT) Operating in the Field of Healthcare, based on a ministerial request, which can provide expert opinions in ongoing compensation proceedings against healthcare providers or in ongoing criminal proceedings against healthcare workers. Regarding procedures and complaints against doctors, while anyone can initiate an ethical procedure against any doctor, courts and authorities can request the ISZT's board opinion. The ETT medical ethics committees operate according to the ETT Code of Medical Ethics; the ISZT forms its expert opinion based on the applicable laws and professional guidelines. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(22): 852-857.