What do you do if you're unsure about your patient rights and responsibilities?

When faced with uncertainty regarding patient rights, it is essential to approach relevant sources for information. Healthcare institutions have made significant investments in information outlets that are readily accessible, including patient booklets, websites, and articles that outline patients' rights and responsibilities. By consulting these resources, individuals can obtain accurate and comprehensive information that will enable them to make informed decisions. This approach is crucial for ensuring the provision of quality healthcare services, and it is particularly relevant in the context of business and academic settings where professionalism and expertise are valued.

I'm an advocate of knowing a little bit of everything about that which concerns you so that you will not behave like" an educated illiterate". Before saying yes to any medical procedures, I encourage you to ask questions and probe further to have a better understanding. Don't accept coded medical terminologies as an explanation.

You can also consider discussing your concerns with your healthcare provider or a member of the healthcare team. They can provide clarification on your rights and responsibilities as a patient and address any questions or concerns you may have. By seeking information and clarifying your rights and responsibilities, you can ensure that you are informed and empowered to participate in your healthcare decisions.

I always encouraged patients to ask questions. Ask your physician questions and if answers can be given to you in your dialect, that's better. When you are given drugs to take, ask questions. When you are scheduled for investigation, whether invasive or not, ask questions. When you are booked for surgery, ask questions. Ask questions about your next appointment.

Patient advocacy groups are there to support you but before you share any information with others on your health status, let there be a written document of confidentiality. Advocacy groups are not to agree on behalf of you nor should they assume to know you better. They are there to explain things better to your understanding so that you can make an informed decision.

I've met with some patients who don't know anything about their right to privacy. Family members, friends and colleagues would approach me when visiting a relative of theirs on admission and ask to see a patient describing the patient with her diagnosis. In some cultures, the patient would like others to know about their illness and how serious it is for financial support. I always let them know that it is very wrong that it can be used against them in the future.

Yes, write it down in a way you can easily recall. Write it down the way you understand. Especially for patients with non-communicable diseases, keep a record of the reading of your blood sugar, blood pressure and drugs you are taking. For asthmatic patients, keep a record of those things you are allergic to. Why? This will help your physician and nurses to know how to be of help to you.