Abstract

Background: Patient rights include the right to make decisions regarding medical care, the right to accept or refuse treatment, and the right to formulate advance directives, The present study aimed at assessing the awareness among patients regarding their rights and responsibilities in the major governmental hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methodology
This study followed a quantitative observational cross-sectional analytical survey design for assessing patients' awareness of their rights and responsibilities in four major governmental hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study sample consisted of 200 patients and data were collected through response to questionnaires by the study subjects during the period between February to March 2016. The rate of awareness of patients was estimated using a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5.
Results
The percentage of total awareness among the patients for their rights and responsibilities was 46%. Further, the study also found that the best source of information that makes the patients more aware of their right and responsibilities was hospital posters with a percentage of 45.6%.
Conclusion
The study found that a limited number of patients knew about their rights and duties. The awareness regarding patient’s rights and responsibilities should not be limited to awareness provided by healthcare policymakers and providers but also should involve educating citizens about it starting from their school education system. Establishment of a patients’ rights and responsibilities committee for supervision and monitoring of informing and observance is also recommended.

Key words: Patient’s rights, awareness of patients' rights and responsibility, human rights.