Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: An Efficient health care systemrequires active participation and appropriate interaction between recipients and providers of health services. Patients’ bill of rights with the aim of explanation of rights of the recipients of health services and promotion ofthe observance of ethical criteria in one of the most important areas, which is treatment sector, has been codified and implemented with the participation of experts and beneficiaries.This study aimed to determine the importance of itsissuesfrom the viewpoint of health care recipients.

Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 390 patients referred to education and treatment centers of Qom University of Medical Sciences. The data gathering tool was a researcher made questionnaire based on the patients’ bill of rights. The collected data were analyzed using statistics, nonparametric statistical tests, Pearson correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis,and Mann-Whitney at the significance level of 0.05.

Results:Overall, the importanceof the issues of patients’ bill of rightswas at high level in 33.8% of cases, medium levelin 48.2%, and low level in 17.9% percent. From the viewpoint of health care recipients, the most important issues of patients' bill of rights, included respecting the principle of confidentialityand right of privacy, whichwith 48.7%was at high level, with 37.7%atmedium level, and 13.6%at low level.

Conclusion:In general, respecting patient's bill of rights is of great importance from the patients' point of view in education and treatment centers of Qom University of Medical Sciences andrespecting the principle of confidentiality and right of privacy are of the most importance for patients. Therefore, using the findings of this research, officials canproperly prioritize and plan for observance ofall issuesof patients' bill of rights, especially respecting the patients’ territory and rightsin all fields, particularly nursing services, management, education, and research.