The UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) staff are pleased to work with you. We are available to give advice on how to stay healthy and to assist you in your recovery if you become ill. We can work together most effectively if we know what to expect from each other. This is a summary of your rights and responsibilities as a user of our services.
Your Rights
Dignity
- You have the right to have your dignity recognized and respected.
- You have a right to the same consideration and respect as anyone else, regardless of your race, age, beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or lifestyle.
- You should expect our staff to have concern for your individual needs and feelings.
- You should expect that all health care providers will introduce themselves and will address you according to your preference.
Privacy
- You have the right to privacy and to exclude anyone not directly involved with your care.
- You should expect that your discussion, examination, and treatment will be conducted as privately as possible.
Confidentiality
- You have the right to confidential treatment of all communication and records relating to your care. Except as required by law, your written permission is required before we may give information to anyone not connected with your care. This also applies to your parents and University officials. There are exceptions required by law, such as reporting certain communicable diseases to the local Health Department and responding to court orders and subpoenas. There are additional restrictions that apply to some types of information.
- Before giving your permission, make sure you understand what information will be provided, who will receive it, and that the information is really needed. However, you may wish to discuss what information is to be released before giving your consent.
- You have the right to review and have explained to you all information pertaining to you in our file or medical record.
Service
- You should expect that your reasonable request for service will be met. If SHCS or University policies or situations beyond our control prevent us from meeting your request, you have the right to a clear explanation of the reason.
- You have a right to refuse service, proposed tests or treatment. You should expect that we will explain the anticipated medical consequences if you refuse care. You will be expected to sign a statement refusing care.
- You have the right to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for you. This is a legal document known as an advance directive. This would be used if you become unable to make medical care decisions or prefer someone else to be your decision maker.
- You have the right to refuse to participate in any clinical research studies or to refuse an experimental treatment, without fear of adversely affecting the care you receive.
- You have the right to change providers. We have a number of health care providers and they have a wide variety of practice styles in order meet the expectation of all of our students.
Understanding
You have the right to know and understand:
- SHCS procedures.
- Our assessment of your medical problem.
- What tests are being done and why.
- The risks of any test(s) or procedure(s).
- Alternatives to procedures and their risks.
- If any procedures are experimental or are provided as part of a research protocol.
- What treatment is recommended and its side effects and risks.
- The prospects for resolution of your problem
- The charges for your care and an explanation of their meaning.
- Our payment policies.
- How to express a complaint, compliment, or suggestion
Your Responsibility
- As a consumer of health care services, you can help yourself by being responsible in the following ways:
- Be honest and direct about everything that relates to your needs for health care.
- Tell those who are helping you how you feel about the things that are happening to you.
- Be an active participant in the decisions regarding your health.
- Give an accurate, concise history of your illness. This includes all current prescription medications, over the counter products, herbal and dietary supplements, and vitamins.
- Follow-up with the same clinician if possible.
- Follow the prescribed plan.
- It is your responsibility to advise the clinician whether or not you think you can follow the prescribed treatment plan.
- Report any adverse change in your health immediately to your health care provider.
- Conduct yourself in a respectful manner.
- Keep appointments that you have with our staff and provide at least 24 hours notice if you cancel an appointment.
- Have adequate health insurance and understand the benefits and limitations of the insurance. Our insurance personnel are available to help you.
- Let us know if the cost of medications or procedures prescribed is a problem for you. There may be suitable alternatives.
- Pay SHCS charges on your student account.
Remember
- Being a good health care consumer does not mean being a silent partner.
- When you have questions - ASK
- When you have problems - SPEAK UP
- When you like what happens - EXPRESS YOUR APPRECIATION
- If you feel your rights have not been respected, or wish to file a complaint, compliment, or suggestion, you can:
- Complete a Comments form and deposit in one of the locked comment boxes at Student Health Services.
- Contact the Student Health and Counseling Services Quality Management Office at (530) 752-6559.