Patient Rights
and Responsibilities

1. Patient rights

A. Right to receive care

Patients have the right to appropriate healthcare services for the protection and improvement of their health. Their health rights must not be infringed because of sex, age, religion, social status, or financial circumstances, and medical professionals may not refuse care without a legitimate reason.

B. Right to information and self-determination

Patients may receive sufficient explanations and ask detailed questions about their condition, treatment options, participation in medical research, expected outcomes including adverse effects, and medical fees. After receiving an explanation, patients have the right to decide whether to consent to care and treatment.

C. Right to confidentiality

Patients have the right to protection of medical, health, and private information. Medical professionals and institutions do not disclose patient information without consent except where disclosure is required by law, including a lawful criminal investigation.

D. Right to request consultation or mediation

When a dispute arises in connection with healthcare services, patients may request consultation or mediation from the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency or another competent organization.

2. Patient responsibilities

A. Responsibility to trust and respect medical professionals

Patients must accurately disclose information related to their health and respect the treatment plan explained by their medical professional.

B. Responsibility not to obtain care through improper means

Patients must identify themselves before receiving care and must not use another person's identity or obtain care through false or improper means.