Key Patient Rights
Patients have a right to privacy and confidentiality via the HIPPA law. What does this mean?
What does a patient advocate do?
Your doctor keeps interrupting you during your doctors appointment. What is an "I" statement you can use?
"I feel unheard when you interrupt me. I need you to listen to me please."
You are at a doctor's appointment and they want you to get an MRI. What is an open-ended question you can ask regarding the MRI?
Example: "What will the MRI help you determine?"
A patient is turned away from a primary care provider's office because they do not speak English. What patient right is being violated?
Non-discriminatory care
Patients have the right to non-discriminatory care. What does this mean?
Medical providers are required to provide fair and equitable treatment to ALL patients
Who offers patient advocate services?
Most hospitals and clinics
You are at an occupational therapy appointment and the provider doesn't explain what OT is. Use an "I" statement to clarify why you are receiving OT services.
"I feel frustrated when providers don't explain what they are doing and how they will help me. Can you please help me understand what to expect from our session?"
You are at an occupational therapy appointment and they want to use ultrasound therapy. What is an open-ended question you can ask regarding the ultrasound therapy?
"How will this help my injury?"
You hear a medical provider in a coffee shop talking about a patient they are treating. What patient right is being violated?
Patients have a right to emergency care. What does this mean?
Patients have a right to emergency care regardless of their ability to pay for services or their insurance status
Be present at the doctor's appointment to help the patient advocate for their needs and understand the doctor's recommendations.
You are at a neurology appointment and the doctor keeps using really confusing and unfamiliar words. Use an "I" statement to advocate for yourself.
"I feel frustrated and confused when you use medical terminology that I'm not familiar with. Can you please explain this to me in layman's terms?"
You are at the pharmacy picking up a new medication. What is an open-ended question you can ask about the new medication?
Example: "What side-effects should I watch out for with this medication?"
A patient called their doctor to receive copies of their medical records. It has been over 3 months and they still have not received the records. What patient right is being violated?
Right to access personal health information
What is informed consent?
Patients have the right to understand and make educated decisions about their medical care
A patient called a doctor's office to obtain their medical records. The doctor's office refused to provide the patient's records to them. What can the patient do?
Seek advice from a patient advocate or a lawyer who specializes in healthcare law.
Your doctor rushes through your appointment and gives you a referral to physical therapy after you rolled your ankle. They have not explained what physical therapy is or how it will help you. Respond with and "I" statement.
"I feel confused when you rush through our appointments and don't explain my treatment options."
You are getting an MRI and they ask you to drink a liquid from a small paper cup. What is an open-ended question you to stay informed about your care?
Example: "What are you asking me to drink?"
A patient arrives at the emergency room and is turned away because they cannot pay for medical services. What patient right is being violated?
Right to emergency care
What are health insurance protections?
Patients' health insurance must cover essential services like preventative care.
A patient received a medical bill they do not understand and cannot pay for. What can the patient advocate do?
Help explain the bill and determine payment options
You are turned away from the emergency room after breaking your arm because you don't have insurance. Use and "I" statement to advocate for yourself.
"I feel like my patient rights are being violated because you won't treatment without insurance."
You are getting your teeth cleaned and the dentist asks if you want fluoride. What is an open-ended question you can ask to make an informed decision?
Example "What are the benefits and risks of fluoride treatment?"
A patient is at the dentist for a cavity filling. The dentist finds another cavity and fixes it without telling the patient. What patient right is being violated?
Informed consent