Principles of Patient Care
- All patients deserve quality medical care from their physicians;
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All patients merit respect, courtesy and dignity in the delivery of
health care services;
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All patients deserve information about their diagnosis, treatment
options and risks, prognosis, and costs in order to participate in
decisions about their health care;
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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;
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All patients may seek an additional professional opinion, if they so
desire;
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All patients deserve to have their health care managed in a confidential
manner.
(EC Rpt A, A-93) (Reaffirmed A-23)
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