Patients have certain medical rights when they are dealing with doctors or hospitals. Most patients are unfamiliar with these rights and simply go along with whatever the medical provider says. But several studies have shown that you can get better care by being familiar with your rights. Here is an outline of your medical rights:
(1) If you are a competent adult you can refuse medical care that you don’t want.
(2) As a patient you have a right to be told the true nature of your illness, the doctor cannot lie or withhold information from you.
(3) You can leave the hospital any time you wish. You don’t need permission from the doctor.
(4) You are free to refuse to be examined by any doctor, intern, or medical student.
(5) Once you have been admitted to a hospital, you cannot be discharged simply because you can’t pay.
(6) A doctor can treat a child without the parent’s permission in emergency situations.
(7) Hospitals and doctors are required to provide parents with information about a child’s condition.
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