Tailored Print Media: a Recommended Technique on Promoting Patient Rights Charter in Educational Hospitals in Yasuj, Iran

The patient rights charter has been developed several years ago. However, in practice, non-observance of the charter items is common in many hospitals and clinics. This study aimed to assess the effect of using a tailored printed media on promoting the observance of the charter in two educational public hospitals in Yasuj, Iran. In this before-after study, the viewpoints of 121 physicians, nurses and midwives about the content and observance of patient rights charter; and the view points of 100 admitted patients about the related personnel practices were explored through two separate questionnaires. Four posters and two pamphlets were developed based on the research findings. Posters were installed in crowded venues of the hospitals; and pamphlets were presented to the personnel and patients. Three months after the intervention, patients viewpoints were assessed again and the proportions of the positive answers were compared with the baseline data. From the perspectives of the personnel, observance of three items of the charter including permission to complaint, confidentiality for patients’ information, and respect to patient privacy, were less functional. Majority of the patients believed that in three items including permission to have a copy of hospital file, taking a bill for given expenses, and admitting the patient respectfully, personnel did not act appropriately. The proportions of positive answers significantly improved three months after the intervention (from 13, 14, and 16 percents to 95, 47, and 86 percents, respectively). Educational print media in which the content has been specified and tailored based on formative research can persuade the target groups to observe the patient rights charter in hospitals.