Title: Knowledge and Awareness of Patients Rights in Primary Care Center and Emergency Room in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hadeel Mansour Almutairi, Amnah Mohammed Alanazi, Joud Abdulshakur Basfar, Ali Ibrahim Alfarhan
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v13i11.01
Abstract
Background: Ensuring patients' awareness of their rights in medical facilities is absolutely essential for ensuring patient empowerment and high quality care delivery. In several situations, though, poor patient rights knowledge and scarce data can impair the standard of treatment. The awareness of patients' rights among those seeking care at primary care clinics and the emergency rooms of King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh was the target of this study.
Methodology: Self-administered questionnaires were used to do a descriptive cross-sectional study. The investigation comprised all outpatients older than 18 at the primary care offices of KAMC. Participants' demographic profiles, knowledge of patients' rights, and sources of this knowledge were all included in data gathered. The sample size was set at 400 individuals to make up for missing or non-responses. Data were examined descriptively and inferentially using SPSS version 20.
Results: 406 people participated in the study; most were women (70.9%) and Saudi citizens (96.6%). Most participants (34.8%) were between the ages of 18 and 29; 39.4% had a higher degree. A great awareness of basic patients' rights was seen; over 90% of respondents were aware of rights pertaining to confidentiality, treatment, and safety from harm. Rights such as refusal of treatment (70.1%) and the right to seek a second opinion (83%) saw less knowledge. Posters or brochures came first as information sources (61%), followed by doctors (20.9%). Important links were discovered between rights awareness and demographic variables, including - Income, education, age, and history of hospitalization.
Conclusion: In outpatient settings at KAMC, the study shows that patients' rights are well known, particularly regarding basic rights like confidentiality and therapy. Still, greater awareness about particular rights, including the right to refuse treatment and obtain a second opinion, is required. To help patients better comprehend their rights, top priority should be given to customized educational approaches especially those using direct contact by healthcare professionals
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