Old Values for a New Day in Medicine

We are past the point of no return. Whether or not Obamacare remains in its current form after the fall elections, we are beyond returning to the world of medicine as we as physicians once knew it. In attempting to broaden access to care, while containing cost, the economic realities of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act threaten to overwhelm the traditional fiduciary relationship and contract of trust that has existed between healer and patient since before Hippocrates wrote the oath that we swear ourselves to as physicians.  As healthcare professionals each of us has a voice, and we are to be advocates for our patients.  We usually think of speaking out in the context of challenging insurance companies, or governmental agencies to redress the injustices we see forced upon our patients. But what about standing up for the rights of our patients within our own practices? A patient "Bill of Rights", a promise to our patients as to what they should be able to expect from us, and from those who work for us in our offices, is not a new idea, but it is a good one. This is one version that I  like:

                         Patient Bill of Rights

Every one of our Patients has the right to:

• participate in the development and implementation in their plan of care
• be treated with respect and dignity
• be informed about their condition, treatment options, and the possible results and side effects of treatment
• refuse treatment in accordance with the law, and receive information about the consequences of refusal
• quality health care without discrimination because of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or source of payment
• privacy and confidentiality, which includes access to medical records upon request
• a safe environment, free from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
• the presence of a chaperone for all interviews, examinations, and procedures
• know the identity of the person treating the patient, as well as any relationship between professionals and agencies involved in the treatment
• informed consent for all procedures
• consultation and communication
• complain or compliment without the fear of retaliation or compromise of access to, or quality of care

In a time when healthcare has become a commodity, and patients are member ID numbers, it is more important than ever that patients know that we still see them as people.

What are your thoughts?