Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Policy #SOC 97-01

The University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry Clinics (UCBSO Clinics) provide comprehensive vision and eye care and are dedicated to the delivery of quality, cost effective vision care services.

Patient Rights

  1. The patient has the right to expect appropriate health care as delivered by the UCBSO Clinics.
  2. The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care.
  3. The patient has the right to quality care regardless of his/her race, religion, education, age, sex, cultural background, physical or mental disabilities, or financial status.
  4. The patient has the right to obtain complete information concerning his/her diagnosis and treatment in terms readily understood by the patient. When there is a consultation or referral, the information will be made available to the consulting care provider.
  5. The patient has the right to know by name, the practitioner(s) responsible for coordinating his/her care.
  6. The patient has the right to be appropriately informed about his/her diagnosis prior to giving consent for referral for additional care.
  7. The patient has the right to participate in health care decisions. This includes, but is not limited to, receiving information regarding significant alternatives for care or treatment when they exist and the right to refuse treatment.
  8. The patient has the right to privacy of his/her own health care program including case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment.
  9. The patient has the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to his/her care will remain confidential, in accordance with State and Federal laws.
  10. The patient has the right to be informed of any experimental procedures proposed to be used in conjunction with his/her care and to refuse participation in any human experimentation without the fear that the practitioner/patient relationship will be compromised.
  11. The patient has the right to file a complaint, orally or in writing, without the fear that the practitioner/patient relationship will be compromised.
  12. The patient has the right to be informed of continuing health care requirements, if any.

Patient Responsibilities

  1. The patient has the responsibility to provide complete and accurate information about his/her past medical history and present medical conditions including medications and other related matters.
  2. The patient has the responsibility to follow the treatment plan developed between the practitioner and the patient and to be responsible for his/her actions if he/she refuses treatment or if he/she does not follow the instructions of the practitioner.
  3. The patient has the responsibility to keep scheduled appointments or to call at least 24 hours in advance to cancel.
  4. The patient has the responsibility to conduct him/herself in an orderly, courteous, civil and cooperative manner and to modify his/her behavior upon request.