Patient Rights & Responsibilities
Your health is a shared responsibility with the Health Services staff. Any discussion with a physician, nurse practitioner, nurse, technician, counselor, or other health care professional can be valuable to you in terms of both health and learning. You are encouraged to take an active part in the exchange. If you do not feel that your concerns are being addressed or that your questions are being answered, you are encouraged to tell your health care professional or restate your specific needs. Georgia Southern University Health Services staff has an obligation to establish a climate that diminishes anxiety and encourages and embraces honest, open communication. You, likewise, have an obligation to be an informed and responsible patient of Georgia Southern University Health Services.
Dignity
You have a right to have your dignity as an individual recognized and respected. You have a right to the same considerations and respect as anyone else, regardless of your age, race, beliefs (including spiritual & religious), gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and lifestyle.
Privacy
You have a right to privacy whenever and wherever possible. You should expect that your discussion, examination and treatment will be conducted in a private environment and that medical information will be maintained in accordance with accepted medical records privacy and security guidelines. The right to privacy extends to telephone and electronic communication, including use of the Internet and email in any form.
Confidentiality
You have a right to confidential treatment of all communications and records relating to them. Permission must be obtained before Georgia Southern Health Services staff gives information to anyone not directly connected with your case. This requirement applies to parents, relatives, close friends, and college/university personnel. There are limited exceptions required by law, such as reporting certain communicable/infectious diseases, parental or guardian permission to treat minors (under age 18), or situations which threaten your safety or the safety of others. The right to confidentiality extends to telephone and electronic communication, including use of the Internet.
Access
You have a right to access and utilize Georgia Southern Health Services, but with this right comes the responsibility to understand the scope and range of available services and to make appropriate use of these services.
Provider Change
You have a right to change providers, to accept or refuse care, and to be informed of the medical consequences. Georgia Southern Health Services has the right to assign patients to health care providers based on patient demand and staff availability.
Information
You have a right to information about services, hours, fees, payments, and eligibility. You have a reasonable right to information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
Being Honest
You are responsible for being honest and direct about everything that relates to health care needs. This means being honest and open about your health care issues, your previous health history, and how you feel about the diagnosis and plan of treatment given to you.
Making Sure You Understand
You are responsible for the understanding of your health problems or needs to your satisfaction. If you do not understand the treatment plan, test procedure, or patient education information, you should ask the interviewer or practitioner about it. You need to be sure your health care professional understands — ask questions!
Making Appropriate Use of Services and Staff Time
You have a responsibility to understand the scope and range of available services and make appropriate use of these services and related provider time.
Following the Prescribed Plan
It is your responsibility to advise the Health Services staff trying to help you, whether or not you can and/or want to follow the prescribed plan. If you are in agreement with the plan, you need to follow it. If you are not in agreement with the plan, you are encouraged to talk to your health care provider about your concerns.
Reporting Changes
It is your responsibility to tell the Health Services staff about any changes in your health in relationship to the treatment provided.
Keeping your Appointment
It is your responsibility to keep appointments at the scheduled time, or notify the Health Services staff if you cannot keep or will be late for an appointment.
Knowing your Practitioner
You are should make a special effort to know the name(s) of the personnel who serve you. The Health Services staff will try to make this an easy task by introducing themselves, wearing name tags, and providing good information, including pictures of staff on the Health Services web site. You are encouraged to make a note of this, either mentally or on paper.
Being a Participant
It is your responsibility to become an active participant in decisions regarding your own care. This means making appropriate and effective use of Health Services when you are sick, but also taking advantage of available patient education and health promotion and wellness information and acting on this information.
Language Line
Translation services are provided through the USG Student Health Insurance Plan’s Student Assistance Program and are available in over 170 languages for most services.
Last updated: 4/10/2024
