Comparison of Patient's Rights in Developed Countries and Suggestion a Proper Model for Iran

In health care, emphasis on basic human rights is especially important. Patient’s privacy protection becomes important when the human is exposed to shortcomings of social and health systems. This study was performed to compare the patient’s rights in developed countries and suggest a proper model for Iran. This research was a comparative and descriptive case study. Research population included the USA (New York, Florida, Missouri, Minnesota and Texas), England, Canada and Iran. Data collected by internet and e-mail based on a library search method. Furthermore, in Iran, we used a questionnaire that its validity and reliability were tested. Finally, the suggested model of patient's rights for Iran was tested by some specialist in this field with Delphi method. Findings of research showed that patients’ rights of accessibility to treatment and health care, privacy, consent for treatment and protection (the right of claim) were included in “patient’s rights” of all studied countries, except Iran. The right of confidentiality is considered in all studied countries. The rights of having translator and pain relief just were seen in some states of the USA. Considering that patient rights have many shortcomings in Iran, generally, main reviews in this field should be performed according to comparative surveys. So, accordingly the appropriate model for developing “Patient’s bill of rights” in Iran was proposed.