Principles of Patient Care

1. All patients deserve quality medical care from their physicians;
2. All patients merit respect, courtesy and dignity in the delivery of health care services;
3. All patients deserve information about their diagnosis, treatment options and risks, prognosis, and costs in order to participate in decisions about their health care;
4. All patients should be free to choose the health care delivery system that best suits their needs and provides them with a choice of physicians;
5. All patients may seek an additional professional opinion, if they so desire;
6. All patients deserve to have their health care managed in a confidential manner.

(EC Rpt A, A-93) (Reaffirmed A-17)

The WSMA reaffirms its policy supporting the freedom of patients to choose the health care delivery system that best suits their needs and provides them with a choice of physicians. (Res B-5, A-16)

Return to the WSMA Policy Compendium index

Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:

EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health Services