Human Rights in Patient Care

Introduction: Human Rights in Patient Care

This chapter will introduce you to key issues and resources related to human rights in patient care, with a particular focus on issues such as consent, confidentiality, access to information and care.

While other chapters in this Resource Guide focus on specific populations—such as people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS, people who use drugs, sex workers, LGBT communities, and ethnic minorities—this chapter addresses human rights issues affecting patients as a whole.

The chapter is organized into six sections that answer the following questions:

How is patient care a human rights issue?
What is OSI’s work in the area of human rights in patient care?
Which are the most relevant international and regional human rights standards related to patient care?
What are some examples of effective human rights programming in the area of patient care?
Where can I find additional resources on human rights in patient care?
What are key terms related to human rights in patient care?

As you read through this chapter, consult the glossary of terms found in the last section, What are key terms related to patient care and human rights?

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