Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Rights
As a patient of the University of Pittsburgh Student Health Service, you are entitled to the following rights.
Patients have the right to:
- Be treated with respect, dignity, and consideration.
- Obtain complete current information concerning diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in terms that can be reasonably understood. When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to a patient, the information is provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person.
- Receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any treatment.
- Appropriate privacy.
- Confidentiality of your records and, except when required by the law, to be given the opportunity to approve or refuse their release.
- Know who is counseling, caring for, and/or treating you. The practitioner's name and professional qualifications should be visible or stated upon introduction.
- Change providers upon request.
- Information regarding the scope and availability of services.
- Information regarding fees for service, particularly notification as to what may involve additional charges.
- Be informed of any research aspect of your care, and the right to refuse to participate. Such refusal will not jeopardize your access to medical care and treatment.
- Know what Student Health Service rules and regulations apply to your conduct as a patient.
Responsibilities
As a patient of the University of Pittsburgh Student Health Service, you are expected to conform with the following responsibilities.
Patients have the responsibility to:
- Provide accurate and complete information about current and past illnesses, medications, and other matters pertaining to their health.
- Follow the treatment plan recommended by their practitioner.
- Arrive as scheduled for appointments and to cancel in advance any appointment they cannot keep.
- Become informed of the scope of basic services offered, the costs, and the necessity for medical insurance and to actively seek clarification of any aspect of participation in the services and programs (including cost) of the Student Health Service that is not understood.
- Bring forward suggestions or grievances about the Student Health Service. This responsibility includes the right to receive a personal response and an assurance of continual access to care.
- Cooperate with all Student Health Service personnel caring for you, and to ask questions if you do not understand any information given you.
- Be respectful of others, other people's property, and that of the Student Health Service.