We truly hope that you and your beloved ones do not need doctors. India is a huge country that has around 1.4 billion citizens. Unfortunately, we know that this article is going to be helpful for many people.
In most cases, hospitals are places of hope. Many people are looking here for a chance to recover. It doesn’t matter if you are seriously ill or not. We suggest that you do visit a doctor in any case.
Fortunately, advanced technology has given two options to the patients. You can go to a hospital and visit a doctor in-person.
Yet, if you feel that your problem is not huge, then you can visit a doctor from the comfort of your room as well. There are online doctors like Yourdoctors.online that offer this sort of service. You only need to ensure a stable Wi-Fi connection and a decent camera.
Yet, we live in the world on Internet technology and smartphones. We are sure that these requirements are not tough. Yet, we have noticed that some patients of India are not completely aware of the rights they have.
Table of Contents
Right to Information
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This is the basic right that absolutely every citizen of India has. The doctor or qualified assistant needs to provide you with all pieces of information associated with your illness. Despite that, he needs to do a proper investigation and find the right solution for your illness. Finally, in the end, the doctor needs to determine a certain diagnosis.
Yet, it can happen that the patient does not understand the diagnoses completely. In that case, the doctor needs to explain it to the patient in simple words.
There is another piece of information that every patient can require in every moment. The doctor needs to provide the professional status to the patient if the patient requires that.
In the end, all the costs of treatment that you have need to come with “writing proof”. In other words, you need to get a bill for all the costs that you have.
Your right is to know all these pieces of information and we encourage you to ask for them at any moment.
Rights to Reports and Records
India’s patients have the right to see three different types of reports. These three reports are – investigation reports, indoor patient records, and original or copy of case papers. When we talk about investigation reports, they need to be available after 24 hours of admission.
Despite that, every hospital in India has to provide patients with a discharge summary. In the case of death, the beloved ones can always ask for a death summary.
Emergency Medical Care
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Let’s imagine that you, for some unknown reason, suddenly fainted. Even if the problem was not huge, every citizen has the right to emergency medical care. It doesn’t matter if you went to a private or government hospital. They need to help you in any emergency situation. Article 21 of the Constitution is the law that ensures this type of help.
Right to Informed Consent
Well, this is one of the most important things you should know. Let’s say that you have a health problem that requires surgery or chemotherapy. In theory, that move will probably save you from some further troubles. Yet, that doesn’t mean that every surgery is 100% safe.
Every patient needs to know every detail associated with the surgery. This includes the explanation of the entire procedure, consequences, and risks. Yet, the doctor mustn’t use the professional terminology while explaining this. He or she needs to explain everything with “simple” words. That will allow the patient to make the final choice in a lot easier way.
Human Dignity, Privacy, and Confidentiality
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Well, we are sure that you already know about this right because it has been mentioned many times on TV. It doesn’t matter who your doctor is. He needs to keep all the pieces of information about the illness of the patient in privacy. Despite that, the treatment plan also needs to be in strict confidentiality.
Of course, there are some exceptions. For instance, let’s say that you have a virus that can put other people in danger. In that case, the doctor has the right to share these pieces of information with other medical workers.
There is one important thing that all female patients need to know. Each one has the right to demand the presence of another woman. Yet, a woman can use this right only if the doctor that is checking and treating her is male. In that way, each hospital in India supports the dignity of every patient, independently from their gender. It is a useful right if you ask us.
Right to Non-Discrimination
As we said, India has around 1.4 billion citizens (officially). In this country, you can find a huge number of religions and nations. Because of that, every patient should know that no one has the right to discriminate you. You have the right to medical treatment regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. The characteristics or a person are completely irrelevant.
Right on Alternative Options
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Well, this is another piece of information important for all the people. Logically, the doctor will have a primary recommendation. He or she will tell you which type of treatment is the most recommendable. Yet, the doctor also needs to inform you about all the treatment options that you have. Once again, he needs to do that in a simple way.
The patient itself has the right to choose the option that seems like the most effective one. This includes alternative treatments that were not a primary recommendation of a doctor. Yet, in these cases, the patient is responsible for the consequences.
Second Opinion
This is a bit taboo subject because most of the people are not feeling comfortable to use it. You always have the right to hear the second opinion from a second doctor or hospital. Do not worry if you are going to hurt the feelings of your primary doctor. It is always good to hear two opinions and see if they are the same.
If you choose this option, then the doctor/hospital needs to provide the full documentation of your health to the second doctor/hospital. If someone tries to stop you or discourage you from that, keep in mind that he is breaking the law.