Patients have a greater control of their health and have the potential of making decisions concerning their health. The medical practitioners should have a passionate commitment to supporting those decisions. Therefore, if a patient is aware of his/her rights and responsibilities, they can be able to make better judgments regarding their healthcare. In every state, there are patient rights and responsibilities which protect them. This paper endeavors to discuss the importance of the rights and obligations of patients from a legal and ethical perspective.
Every patient has a right of knowing his/her rights. They should receive a copy of the institution’s patient’s bill of responsibilities and rights on admission. The action should have legal significance whether or not their state has adopted that similar code (Pozgar, 2014). A patient can sue an institution if they do not deliver the specific services that they require. Thus, by observing the bill of rights of the patient, there will be an efficient patient care, the sick people, the organizations and the caregivers will have greater satisfaction. The client will be aware of his rights and how he should behave to receive better treatment.
A patient should get necessary information which will aid in making an informed choice before they consent to any treatment or procedures. The report should contain the treatment’s possible benefits and risks. Consent is necessary for all the procedures and treatment in a health care facility. The patient should give it freely because it gives the health provider an obligation of respecting the patient’s autonomy (Westrick, & Dempski, 2009). If the client has sufficient information about all the procedures, they will be psychologically aware of what to expect. The will respond positively to those procedures, and they will be willing to take part in the whole exercise. Any medical intervention with no valid informed consent can be a serious criminal offense, and the health professional can face charges of battery.
Confidentiality and privacy are crucial, and the client has the right to receiving full considerations of privacy concerning their treatment program. They should be aware why a certain individual is present during their treatment, examination or consultation. Ethically, confidentiality establishes the foundation for the patient-doctor relationship (Westrick, & Dempski, 2009). The assurance of confidentiality enables the patient to disclose confidential and sensitive information to the healthcare provider. The patient can disclose as much information if there is a rapport between him/her and the physician. By observing confidentiality, the physician can derive significant information which can be helpful in the patient’s treatment procedures. There can be legal implications if the health professional discloses the client’s information without their consent.
The patient has various responsibilities which include providing complete and accurate information about their condition. The information will enable the health professional to establish appropriate treatment procedures which suit their situation. Legally, the client should receive treatment that matches the presenting conditions. The patient has another responsibility of complying with the set treatment plan and keeping their appointment with their practitioner. The action will quicken the client’s healing, and the physician will be able to monitor the process of recovery regularly (Pozgar, 2014). The patient who does not respect this responsibility can face legal consequences since that are posing a threat to their life.
In conclusion, the various rights and responsibilities protect the client so that they can receive adequate treatment. The client should receive treatment while they are aware of the potential benefits and risks. The responsibilities help the client to protect their life and to establish a conducive relationship with the health workers, the organizations and the legal authorities. Ethically, every health institution should inform the patient about their responsibilities and rights so that they can stay in harmony while giving treatment.
References
Pozgar, G. D. (2014). Legal and ethical issues for health professionals. Sudbury, Mass: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Westrick, S. J., & Dempski, K. (2009). Essentials of nursing law and ethics. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
