Rights and Responsibilities in Medicine - Essay Example

"Rights and Responsibilities in Medicine" is a good example of a paper on the health system. 
Physician’s rights and responsibilities are well defined as well as the patients’ rights and responsibilities. Both are generally received by the patient before any treatment or care is provided. Physician’s rights are often second-placed to the patient’s rights and less likely to be reviewed by patients therefore they are included in the Patient’s rights as responsibilities. 

Physician rights or patient responsibilities begin with the patient’s responsibility to give accurate and thorough contact and insurance information. This ensures that patients can be contacted and that billing goes smoothly. Advance directives should also be provided and on file for the physician (Judson, 2010). Other information includes medical history, illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, surgeries, allergies, and anything that the physician needs to know to treat the patient properly (Johns, 2011). Answering questions and participating in your treatment is also imperative. Keeping appointments on time and paying copays or deductibles at the time of service are also physician rights to be expected from patients. Some physicians may list patient responsibilities that aren’t included here such as cancellation policies, billing policies, or appointment policies. 

Patients’ rights are much more lengthy and inclusive. Patient rights begin with the right to receive fair, considerate, respectful, compassionate care in a safe setting regardless of gender, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disabilities (Johns,2011). Knowing the name of your Doctors and also having anyone present that you wish to include are normal rights. Pain assessment and treatment, along with the ability to actively participate in your treatment, freedom from restraints and seclusions not deemed medically necessary, and expecting full protection of your privacy and confidentiality are included (Johns, 2011).   

Participation in research studies is up to the patient and creating advance directives is also left up to the patient, though the Doctor may offer to assist you in creating these in the usual and customary language. Detailed billing and hospital statements will be provided to the patient and this communication will be kept private between you and your physician (Johns, 2011). Voicing your health care concerns or naming an advocate or guardian on your behalf is your right.  

Contracts between Doctor and patient can be canceled at any time, by either party by simply requesting this. Written notification is not necessary and the contract can be canceled orally and will be noted in the patient’s permanent chart or file (Sibbald, 2002). The patient is focused on by the physician and given all the information up front as well as reasons for termination of the contract.