Charter of patients' rights
Patients’ Bill of Rights in Iran
Insight and value
Every member of society is committed to preserving and respecting human dignity, which is of special importance in times of illness. According to the Constitution, upholding human dignity is a fundamental principle of the Islamic Republic, and the government is obligated to provide healthcare services for all individuals in the country. Based on this principle, healthcare services should be provided fairly and with respect for patients’ rights and human dignity.
This charter is established based on high human values, rooted in Islamic and Iranian culture, and upholding the inherent dignity of all healthcare recipients. It aims to promote and strengthen the human relationship between healthcare providers and recipients.
Patient rights
1. The Right to Receive Optimal Healthcare Services
- Healthcare services must:
1.1) Be provided with respect for human dignity, values, cultural norms, and religious beliefs.
1.2) Be delivered with honesty, fairness, politeness, and compassion.
1.3) Be offered without discrimination based on ethnicity, culture, religion, type of illness, or gender.
1.4) Be based on current medical knowledge and best practices.
1.5) Prioritize the patient’s best interests.
1.6) Be distributed fairly according to medical necessity and treatment priorities.
1.7) Integrate preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative care.
1.8) Be accompanied by necessary welfare facilities and avoid unnecessary pain, suffering, or restrictions.
1.9) Give special attention to vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, psychiatric patients, prisoners, individuals with disabilities, and those without guardians.
1.10) Be provided promptly and with respect for the patient’s time.
1.11) Consider factors such as the language, age, and gender of the patient.
1.12) In emergency cases, be delivered regardless of the patient’s financial status. In non-emergency cases, services should be provided according to established regulations.
1.13) If necessary services cannot be provided, arrangements should be made for the patient’s transfer to a properly equipped facility after initial care and explanation.
1.14) In end-of-life situations, care should focus on comfort, pain relief, and addressing the psychological, social, spiritual, and emotional needs of the patient and their family. Patients have the right to be accompanied by a chosen person in their final moments.
2. The Right to Sufficient and Clear Information
2.1. Patients Must Be Informed About the Following:
2.1.1) The provisions of this Patient Bill of Rights upon admission.
2.1.2) Expected medical and non-medical costs, hospital policies, insurance coverage, and available support systems.
2.1.3) The names, responsibilities, and professional ranks of healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and students, as well as their professional relationships.
2.1.4) Diagnostic and treatment options, along with their advantages, risks, potential complications, and expected outcomes.
2.1.5) How to contact the attending physician and key members of the healthcare team during treatment.
2.1.6) Any medical procedures or treatments involving research.
2.1.7) Necessary education for post-treatment care.
2.2. Method of Providing Information:
2.2.1) Information should be given at the right time and in a way that considers the patient’s condition, such as anxiety and pain, as well as their personal characteristics, including language, education, and comprehension level.
Exceptions:
If delaying treatment to provide information could harm the patient, the information should be provided at the earliest appropriate time.
If the patient chooses not to receive information, their wish should be respected, unless their lack of awareness puts them or others at serious risk.
2.2.2) Patients have the right to access their medical records, request copies, and correct any errors.
3. The Right to Autonomy and Informed Decision-Making
3.1. Patients Have the Right to:
3.1.1) Choose their treating physician and healthcare facility within legal guidelines.
3.1.2) Seek a second medical opinion.
3.1.3) Decide whether to participate in medical research without it affecting their standard care.
3.1.4) Accept or refuse treatment after being informed of the risks and consequences, except in cases where refusal poses a serious risk to themselves or others.
3.1.5) Record their preferences for future medical care while they are capable of making decisions. These preferences should guide medical care if they become unable to decide, in accordance with legal standards.
3.2. Conditions for Decision-Making:
3.2.1) Decisions must be made freely and with full understanding, based on comprehensive and clear information.
3.2.2) Patients should be given sufficient time to consider their options before making a decision.
4. The Right to Privacy and Confidentiality
4.1) All patient-related information must be kept confidential unless disclosure is required by law.
4.2) Patient privacy must be respected during all stages of care, including diagnosis and treatment, with necessary measures taken to ensure this.
4.3) Only authorized individuals—including the patient, their designated representatives, healthcare providers, and legally permitted individuals—may access patient information.
4.4) Patients have the right to have a trusted person present during medical examinations. Children have the right to be accompanied by a parent unless medically inappropriate.
5. The Right to an Efficient Complaint and Compensation System
5.1) Patients may file complaints with relevant authorities if they believe their rights have been violated, without affecting the quality of their healthcare.
5.2) Patients have the right to be informed about the complaint process and its outcome.
5.3) If harm results from medical errors, compensation must be provided as soon as possible, following investigation and verification per legal regulations.
Implementation of the Charter:
– If a patient is unable to make decisions, their legal representative is responsible for exercising the patient’s rights under this charter.
– If the legal representative refuses treatment that a physician deems necessary, the physician may seek a legal review of the decision.
– If a patient lacks full decision-making capacity but can make reasonable choices about certain aspects of their care, their decisions should be respected.
– This Patient Bill of Rights serves to uphold the dignity, autonomy, and well-being of all individuals receiving healthcare services.