2). A Patient's Rights

There are a number of lists to go by when it comes to the patient's "Bill of Rights," including a patient's rights under the Affordable Care Act. In the American Cancer Society "Patient's Bill of Rights" it begins with the right every patient has to "…accurate and easily-understood information about your health plan, health care professionals, and health care facilities' (www.cancer.org). Of course a patient also has the right to choose health care providers and when it comes to emergency services, a patient has a right to be "…screened and stabilized using emergency services" when injured or seriously ill; so that when one's health is in jeopardy, access to emergency services can be a vital and stabilizing experience (www.cancer.org).

A patient also has the right to be part of decisions regarding what treatment is appropriate, and a patient has a right to be respected and treated without discrimination...

It is always a patient's right to have his or her information remain confidential, and a patient should always have the right to appeal a decision by a healthcare provider and he or she also has the right to complain when practices or treatments do not meet normal standards of service (www.cancer.org).
In conclusion, it would seem from the literature that a patient's responsibilities are just as important as the patient's rights. Because without a responsible relationship on both sides -- doctor or nurse and patient -- the good health of the patient cannot be assured.

Works Cited

American Cancer Society. (2011). Patient's Bill of Rights: What is the Patient's Bill of Rights?

Retrieved July 31, 2012, from http://www.cancer.org.

Torrey, Trisha. (2010). Patient's Responsibilities. About.com. Retrieved July 31, 2012, from http://patients.about.com.