Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office

Patient's Rights and Obligations in Chinese Medicine Consultation

Patient's Rights and Obligations in Chinese Medicine Consultation

For appropriate treatment and early recovery, the public should understand their rights and obligations in Chinese medicine consultation and establish rapport and mutual trust with their Chinese medicine practitioners.

What rights do patients have?

The rights to choose

•Patients may select registered or listed Chinese medicine practitioners for Chinese medicine consultation. In accordance with the Chinese Medicine Ordinance, both registered and listed Chinese medicine practitioners can practise Chinese medicine legally during the transitional period, after which only registered Chinese medicine practitioners can practise legally.

•Patients may choose between various treatment methods after consulting a Chinese medicine practitioner and other medical professionals. Whenever the cases require, patients are also entitled to appropriate referrals.

•Patients may choose whether or not to accept any Chinese medicines or other Chinese medicine treatments and examinations.

•Patients may choose whether or not to participate in Chinese medicine research projects.

The rights to know

•Patients may enquire about the charges of Chinese medicine practitioners.

•Patients should be informed of their diagnoses, treatment plans and course of the illnesses.

•Patients are entitled to prescriptions.

•Patients may ensure that their Chinese medicine practitioners have established and maintained their medical records and that they have access to their own medical information whenever necessary. Patients may also enquire, in advance, about the charges for requesting such information.

•Patients should be informed of the objectives, common side-effects, risks involved and other alternatives before receiving any examination or treatment.

Privacy

•Chinese medicine practitioners must keep the patients' information confidential and explain the uses of such information.

•Patients have the right to determine whether or not to provide their personal information for uses of non-treatment purpose.

The rights to complain

•If a patient is dissatisfied with the professional aspects of a Chinese medicine practitioner, he can complain to the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong at 22/F Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

What obligations do patients have?

•Patients should honestly tell the Chinese medicine practitioners their medical conditions.

•Patients should fully cooperate with Chinese medicine practitioners on their medical advice.

•Patients should not request unnecessary medicines or any false documents including receipt, medical record, sick leave certificate or medical report.

•Patients should pay appropriate fees for the professional services and Chinese medicines provided.

•Patients should comply with the requirements stipulated by Chinese medicine clinics and respect the interests of others in the clinics.

•Patients should know more about Chinese medicine, which may facilitate communication with Chinese medicine practitioners.

•Patients should follow the methods of health preservation which can prevent diseases and help recovery from illnesses.

Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office
Department of Health
Website: www.cmro.gov.hk