What are the rights and responsibilities of patients? In health care, when a person seeks services related to their health, they should expect to be treated in a way that ensures respect. This includes information obtained during examination by medical professionals. It is very important to know your rights as a patient and the services you will receive when seeking advice from healthcare professionals. If you don't know your rights as a patient, there's a lot you need to know. All rights and responsibilities are unalienable, none of the following can be waived because of age, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, culture , language, physical and/or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status and/or ability to pay. In all areas of health care, these rights must be respected by those providing a service to the public. As a new patient with any provider; the provider is required to give a person a copy of the patient's rights and responsibilities and have them sign the form indicating that they have received a copy for their records. There is a difference between a person's rights and their responsibilities as a patient. The patient's rights are protected by law. In the healthcare system, all rights listed on the form provided by providers are protected, and if violated, they may be subject to fines if found guilty in court. All providers must respect the patient's rights. A responsibility would be the obligation or duty of the person that is accepted or implemented. This means that a person accepts responsibility in exchange for...... middle of paper ...... agreement with the health care provider. If a person understands what their rights and responsibilities mean and has not simply signed a document required by law; they can better understand what is needed to get the most out of the healthcare system. The person will be able to understand that they have options and can make their own choices. Additionally, a single provider does not have the final say when receiving services. There will always be a need for health care because people are always sick in one way or another or are out of balance with their health in one way or another. There are so many specialty areas in healthcare that it is possible to involve a variety of specialists in a patient's decision-making process. It pays to be well informed. Take the time to read each of the patient rights and understand what it means to have a choice.