Patient Rights

Right to Receive Treatment
Patients have the right to receive healthcare services to protect and promote their health without discrimination based on gender, age, religion, status, nationality, language, race, or physical, mental, or economic circumstances. Medical professionals must not refuse treatment without a valid reason.

Right to Information and Self-Determination
Patients have the right to receive sufficient explanations from medical professionals about their areas of expertise, the patient’s medical condition, treatment goals, plans, methods, expected outcomes, potential side effects, discharge plans, medical costs, participation in medical research, and organ donation or transplantation. Patients can ask detailed questions and make informed decisions about their care. Within ethical boundaries, patients may discontinue or refuse specific treatments or planned care and request explanations of alternative options.

Right to Privacy Protection
Patients’ physical and health-related privacy, as well as their personal information, must be protected. Medical professionals and institutions cannot disclose or publish personal information without the patient’s consent, except in cases defined by law, such as criminal investigations.

 

Right to Request Counseling and Mediation
If a dispute arises related to medical services, patients have the right to seek counseling and mediation through internal or external organizations

(e.g., Korea Consumer Agency, Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency).

Right to Respect for Values and Beliefs
Patients must not face discrimination or have their rights infringed upon due to cultural, religious, or personal beliefs.

Right to Physical Protection and Stability
Patients have the right to be protected from potential risks in the hospital environment and to achieve physical and emotional stability.

 

Patient Responsibilities

Obligation to Trust and Respect Medical Professionals
Patients must accurately provide health-related information to medical professionals and trust and respect the treatment plans they propose.

Obligation to Avoid Improper Methods of Receiving Care
Patients must disclose their identity before receiving treatment and refrain from obtaining care under false pretenses, such as using another person’s identity.

Obligation to Comply with Hospital Policies
Patients must follow hospital policies, respect hospital staff and other patients, and fulfill any financial obligations agreed upon with the hospital.