Assessing Patient Rights Awareness Among Healthcare Professionals in Rural Areas of a Less Developed Country Without an Official Patient Bill

Abstract

Awareness of patients’ rights is critical in the provision of healthcare services to ensure protection of these rights and satisfaction of patients. A thorough assessment of patient rights awareness among the physicians and nurses in a rural area of an underdeveloped country was performed, to generate valuable information for possible curriculum adjustments in medical schools and to inform health administrators on the essence to improve the awareness of patient rights among healthcare professionals of these rural areas. 223 active physicians and nurses from the public and private hospitals of different levels in Tiko Sub-Division completed self-administered questionnaires. The study reveals poor knowledge of a patient’s right to make decision about the treatment option, right to refuse treatment and the right to receive medical care in an emergency before payment of the service, among physicians and nurses. Also, the overall patient rights awareness level among the respondents was rated 85%, which signifies an awareness level of standard but requires improvement. The result of this study suggests extended education of healthcare professionals about the rights of a patient, with emphasis on those with no or lower length of work experience. Also, the study further suggests adequate knowledge of patients’ rights and its importance be instilled in medical students of the undeveloped world, be known to, respected and implemented by health administrators and healthcare professionals.