Know Your Health Care Rights

(NC)—When it comes to health care, do you know your rights?

Signs point to a rising sentiment in Canada for empowering patients. Numerous patient rights groups are emerging, and an Ipsos Reid survey found that over 80% of Canadians want a patient health “charter of rights” as part of the governments' next health care funding agreement. As well, 86% want an independent ombudsman that allows citizens to complain about poor health service.

The fact is that Canadians already have many rights as health care consumers, says Linda Gough, president of the Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario (FHRCO). FHRCO is made up of 26 regulatory colleges and more than 260,000 health professionals. When dealing with any care provider, the colleges say to remember your right to:

• Receive safe, competent and ethical care.

• Have health problems and treatments explained clearly, ask questions, and participate in health care decisions.

• Give or refuse consent for any procedure (any reason, any time), learn about treatment options/alternatives, and request a second opinion.

• Be assured that personal information remains protected and confidential.

• Know the education/training of the care provider.

• View and obtain a copy of your own personal health information.

• Have any fees/costs explained.

• Formally raise concerns through a regulatory college.

“Knowing what you're entitled to is important, as people view health care more as a partnership with their providers,” says Gough.

Ontario's health regulatory colleges stand up for the rights of patients by holding their member professionals accountable for their conduct and practice, setting standards for the profession, and administering quality assurance programs.

You can learn about the standards for any of the regulated health care professions, and your rights to address concerns, at the colleges' websites. For all the links, and more on being an informed health care consumer, visit www.regulatedhealthprofessions.on.ca.

“The public can have confidence that regulated health care professionals have not only the appropriate training and skills, but also the accountability for their actions,” says Gough. “That helps to ensure the right to a high level of care.”

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