Which principle is included in patient rights?

Confidentiality is a fundamental principle included in patient rights because it ensures that personal health information is protected and only shared with authorized individuals. This principle fosters trust between healthcare providers and patients, as individuals are more likely to seek care if they know their information will be kept private and secure. Respecting confidentiality also aligns with ethical standards in healthcare practice, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding sensitive data to respect patient autonomy and dignity.

While accountability, accessibility, and transparency are important concepts within healthcare, they do not directly represent the specific principle of patient rights as encapsulated by confidentiality. Accountability pertains more to the responsibility healthcare providers have towards patients and the quality of care provided. Accessibility relates to the availability of healthcare services to patients, ensuring that they can obtain necessary care. Transparency refers to the openness of healthcare practices and policies, allowing patients to understand their treatment and the decisions made about their care. Each of these concepts supports the overall structure of patient rights but does not specifically address the critical aspect of protecting patient information as confidentiality does.