Awareness and practice of patient rights from the patient perspective: Survey-based study in King Abdulaziz University Hospital

Background: Patient rights are fundamental principles that guarantee ethical, respectful, equal, and fair treatment within healthcare systems, encompassing aspects such as informed consent, confidentiality, and active participation in decision-making. Understanding these rights is crucial for healthcare providers and patients, as it helps improve trust, enhances communication, and optimizes the overall healthcare experience. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital at the Emergency Department in Jeddah. The study included adult patients who visited the emergency department and were willing to complete a survey. Data were collected through electronic questionnaires. The study aimed to assess patients’ awareness and understanding of their rights, analyze factors influencing it, and identify areas for improvement. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The study included 201 participants. The findings revealed significant variation in patients’ rights awareness. Among satisfied participants, 54.5% demonstrated good awareness, compared to only 6.7% of dissatisfied participants (p < 0.001). The main sources of information were social media (26%) and physicians (23%), with a significant difference in awareness based on the source (p < 0.001). While 75% of participants were aware that they had patient rights, only 52% knew where to find a list of these rights. Additionally, 40% of participants were unaware that they could seek a second opinion. Overall, 56% of participants demonstrated poor awareness, indicating a need for further intervention. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight significant variation in patients’ awareness of their rights and the factors that influence it. This variation can impact the delivery of comprehensive care. Future interventions should focus on strengthening healthcare providers’ roles as educators and reliable sources of information to bridge awareness gaps. Addressing these issues is crucial for creating an environment in emergency departments where patient rights are universally understood and respected.