Common Themes in Patients’ Charters of Rights

Various jurisdictions across the world have adopted charters of rights for patients as part of the increasing focus on person- and family-centred care. These charters outline what individuals who access the health system and its services can expect from the system and from health-care providers. These charters also outline patients’ responsibilities related to accessing care.

Themes commonly found in patient charters include:

• The right to be treated with respect and dignity;
• The right to confidentiality and privacy in respect of their health information;
• The right to make informed decisions about their care and treatment options;
• The right to have all of their circumstances taken into account in care and wellness planning;
• The right to effective communication in order to facilitate their understanding of care and treatment options;
• The right to access information in a timely and reasonable manner; and
• The right to voice their concerns and to receive a timely response

In addition to the rights outlined above, a number of patient responsibilities are commonly found in charters. Patients are commonly expected to:

• Respect the rights of other patients and of health-care providers;
• Ensure they understand the information provided by health-care providers (e.g., by asking questions, following instructions, and understanding and following their care plan);
• Use health-care services appropriately and wisely;
• Learn how to access health-care services and use them appropriately; and

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