Patient Declaration of Rights and Preferences

In order to ensure that patients receive the utmost benefit from medical processes and to emphasize the importance of their cooperation with healthcare professionals, the Medical Council of Thailand, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Pharmacy Council, the Dental Council, the Physical Therapy Council, the Medical Technology Council, and the Committee on the Practice of the Art of Healing have jointly issued this Declaration of Patients’ Rights and Preferences as follows:

Rights of Patients

1. Every patient shall have the fundamental right to receive medical treatment and healthcare services in accordance with professional standards from healthcare professionals, without any discrimination as prescribed in the Constitution.
2. Patients requesting medical care shall have the right to truthful and sufficient information regarding their illness, examinations, treatment, as well as the potential benefits and risks thereof, provided in a language that is reasonably understandable, to enable informed consent or refusal, except in cases of urgent and life-threatening emergencies.
3. Patients in life-threatening conditions shall have the right to immediate emergency assistance from healthcare professionals as necessary, regardless of whether or not such assistance is expressly requested.
4. Patients shall have the right to be informed of the name, surname, and professional qualifications of their attending healthcare providers.
5. Patients shall have the right to seek a second opinion from healthcare professionals other than those directly providing care, as well as the right to request a change of healthcare professional or medical facility, subject to the terms and conditions of the patient’s entitlement to care.
6. Patients shall have the right to the confidentiality of their personal information, except where consent has been granted, or disclosure is required by law or is necessary for the direct benefit of the patient.
7. Patients shall have the right to receive full and sufficient information before deciding to participate in, or withdraw from, medical research conducted by healthcare professionals.
8. Patients shall have the right to access information concerning their own treatment recorded in their medical records, upon request and in accordance with hospital procedures, provided that such disclosure does not infringe upon the rights or personal data of others.
9. Parents, guardians, or lawful representatives may exercise such rights on behalf of patients under the age of eighteen years, or patients who are physically or mentally incapacitated and unable to exercise their rights independently.

Patient guidelines

1. Patients shall inquire and ensure their understanding of information and potential risks prior to signing consent or refusal for any diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
2. Patients shall provide truthful and complete health and medical information to healthcare professionals during the course of treatment.
3. Patients shall cooperate with and comply with the instructions of healthcare professionals regarding medical treatment. In cases where compliance is not possible, patients shall duly notify the healthcare professional.
4. Patients shall adhere to the rules and regulations of the healthcare facility.
5. Patients shall treat healthcare professionals, fellow patients, and visitors with courtesy and respect, and shall refrain from any conduct that may cause disturbance to others.
6. Patients shall disclose their healthcare entitlements together with supporting evidence to the relevant hospital personnel.
7. Patients shall acknowledge and understand the following medical facts: [content to follow].
   1. Healthcare professionals who perform their duties in accordance with professional standards and ethics shall be entitled to legal protection and shall have the right to be safeguarded against unfair accusations.
   2. “Medicine” herein refers to modern medicine that has been scientifically proven, based on the knowledge available at the relevant time, to provide benefits that outweigh risks to patients.
   3. Medicine cannot diagnose, prevent, or cure all diseases or conditions.
   4. All medical treatments carry potential risks of adverse outcomes, and unforeseen events may occur despite healthcare professionals exercising due diligence in accordance with the circumstances and medical standards applicable at the time.
   5. Screening, diagnostic, and follow-up tests may yield inaccurate results due to limitations of technology or uncontrollable external factors, notwithstanding adherence to professional standards.
   6. Healthcare professionals shall have the right to exercise discretion in selecting medical procedures based on medical science, their professional competence, and limitations under the circumstances, including consultation or referral, with due consideration of the patient’s rights and overall benefit.
   7. For the benefit of the patient, healthcare professionals may provide advice or refer the patient for treatment as deemed appropriate, provided the patient is not in an urgent, life-threatening emergency condition.
   8. Withholding health information or medical facts from healthcare professionals may adversely affect the treatment process.
   9. Hospital emergency departments are designated solely for urgent, life-threatening emergencies.