Flashcards: Patient Rights, Health Equity, and Medical Ethics

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the video notes on patient rights, ethics, health disparities, and advocacy.

Federal Reserve Note

The U.S. banknote issued by the Federal Reserve; it functions as legal tender for payment of debts.

Legal tender

Money that is legally acceptable for the payment of debts and financial obligations.

Patient's Rights

A set of entitlements in hospital care, including informed consent, privacy, information access, and respectful treatment.

Informed consent

The process by which a patient is informed about a proposed treatment’s risks, benefits, alternatives, and costs and then agrees to it.

Privacy and confidentiality

The right to keep personal health information private and to control disclosure.

Access to information and health education

The right to receive information about diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and health education.

Right to choose provider and facility

The right to select one's healthcare provider and the healthcare facility.

Right to self-determination

The right to decide about one’s own care and to participate in care decisions.

Right to religious belief

The right to practice religious beliefs and have them respected in care.

Right to medical records

The right to review and obtain copies of medical records; fees may apply.

Right to leave and refuse treatment

The right to leave the facility or to refuse diagnostics and medical treatment.

Right to refuse participation in medical research

The right to decline participation in medical research with a full explanation of implications.

Discharge planning and post-discharge information

Hospital planning for discharge that includes a caregiver and clear post-discharge instructions.

Itemized bill and charges

The right to receive a detailed bill and explanation of all charges.

Independent Dispute Resolution

A process to challenge and resolve unexpected or disputed medical bills.

Interpreter assistance

Hospitals must provide language interpretation to support understanding of care.

AMA Code of Medical Ethics

Ethical guidelines for physicians about patient relations, information sharing, autonomy, privacy, and conflicts of interest.

Continuity of care

Expectations that physicians coordinate care with others and provide notice if care will be discontinued.

Second opinion

The right to seek and obtain an additional medical opinion.

Conflicts of interest

Situations where a physician’s personal interests could influence patient care; these must be disclosed.

Caregiver in discharge planning

Identifying a caregiver who will participate in discharge planning and post-discharge care.

Advocacy

Actively supporting and protecting patients’ rights and needs within the healthcare system.

Health disparities

Differences in health outcomes across groups due to social, economic, and environmental factors.

Medically disenfranchised patients

Groups who feel the healthcare system treats them unfairly (e.g., Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+, low SES).

Low health literacy

Difficulty understanding health information, which can affect health outcomes.

Dietary preferences

Diet restrictions based on religion or culture (e.g., kosher, halal, no pork, no shellfish).

Cultural preferences in care

Care considerations that reflect culture, such as gender preferences and family involvement.

Language translation

Providing an official translator to ensure accurate communication in care.

Line in the sand

A personal ethical boundary or limit one will not cross in professional practice.

Nonjudgmental care

Care delivered without judging patients’ choices or circumstances, emphasizing respect and empathy.