Assessment of Knowledge about Consumer Protection Act, 2019, among Medical Professionals in Chennai

Abstract

In India, the Consumer Protection Act [COPRA] was enacted in 1986 to safeguard the interests of consumers. On November 13, 1995, the judgement of the Honourable Supreme Court of India brought medical services under the ambit of the Consumer Protection Act. All services rendered to a patient by a medical or dental practitioner are covered under the CPA, except when the service is provided free of charge, especially in charitable or governmental dispensaries, hospitals, and primary health centres. On August 9, 2019, the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 was passed and received presidential assent, repealing the Consumer Protection Act of 1986 in order to strengthen consumer rights and provide consumer justice. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge about the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) 2019 among medical professionals in Chennai. 305 doctors from Chennai were included in the study. Out of the 305 doctors, 192 were working in teaching institutions, 48 were attached to corporate hospitals, and 65 were involved in private practise. To summarize, the mean response scores of MBBS graduates, MD/MS/DNB graduates, and DM/MCH graduates are 7.72, 8.75, and 10.55, respectively. The mean response scores of teaching faculties, corporate doctors, and private practitioners are 8.91, 8.85, and 8.04, respectively. The mean awareness score about CPA 2019 among the total study population is 8.71. The results of the present study showed that a majority of the study population has reasonable knowledge about CPA, but in-depth knowledge is lacking.