3:
People with arthritis have the right to information about arthritis and about their arthritis care:
Patients have the right to read their personal health records.
Patients have the right to confidentiality of their medical records.
People with arthritis and their families should have access to up-to-date and easy-to-read information and educational programs.
Patients should have information about the availablity and accessibility of experimental treatments and clinical trials.
Patients should have access to information about services available within the public health and social systems. They should be told of financial assistance (i.e. government and other) that may be available to lessen the burden of their condition.
To achieve this right, there is a need for:
A system to effectively share information;
Educational materials (audio, printed and other) that can be easily understood by all people;
Education of health professionals.
4:
People with arthritis have the right to give informed consent for their treatment to their health professionals:
Patients are entitled to a full explanation of the services being proposed and their potential risks and benefits before consenting to specific treatment options.
Patients should be treated courteously and with dignity and respect.
To achieve this right, there is a need to:
Educate health professionals about their responsibilities, as outlined by legislation governing informed consent and the professional code of ethics.
5:
People with arthritis have the right to access all treatments to reduce pain and deformity (e.g. medications, splinting) that have been proven to be effective in the management of their disease:
Patients should not wait so long for these modalities that the wait potentially impedes the expected outcome of treatment:
Many Canadians are suffering pain and joint deformity because they cannot access the medications or modalities that they need .
To achieve this right, there is a need for:
Governments to work together to ensure equitable access to medications and modalities across the country;
Governments to fund those who cannot afford to pay for their own medications and modalities.
