Korean nurses’ awareness of patients’ rights in hospitals

Abstract

Patients` rights and patient-nurse relationships in nursing practice have been viewed increasingly as essential aspects of nursing care. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted between August 1 and 30, 2005 to examine 618 Korean nurses` awareness of patients` rights regarding autonomy, informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality. Data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire. The results indicate that nurses have little awareness of the importance of patients` rights regarding autonomy, privacy, and confidentiality. As an understanding of these rights is essential to good clinical practice, this study suggests that there is a need for education programs focused on understanding the legal and ethical rights of patients in the care of nurses.