Rights and Responsibilities

The staff of the UNCW Student Health Center recognize the partnership we have with our students. Our goal is to provide care in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect; therefore we subscribe to the following:

Students have the right to:

• Experience a safe and accessible environment free from neglect, exploitation, and mental, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse.
• Timely access to excellent care, within the Student Health Center mission and scope of care, without regard to age, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
• Receive care without discrimination and be treated with respect, dignity, and consideration of your cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, and personal values, beliefs, and preferences.
• Have a chaperone present during any or all of your visit.
• Have your confidential health information protected before, during, and after your visit.
• Receive and review information about how your confidential personal health information is used and disclosed, obtain access to this information, and request amendments to the medical record.
• To approve or refuse release of information, except as required by law.
• Know the identity and qualifications of your provider and maintain the ability to change this provider at any time if other qualified providers are available.
• Receive assistance with off-campus health services and referrals when indicated.
• Receive an explanation during your visit, to known extent, of: the diagnosis, indication for labs or testing, treatment options, and When it is medically inadvisable to give such information, the information is provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person.
• Participate in decisions involving care, including the choice of treatment plan, unless medically contraindicated.
• To accept or refuse treatment and to be informed of the medical consequences of refusal.
• Be informed about the outcomes of care, including unanticipated outcomes.
• Receive information, if requested, regarding the Student Health Center Policy on use of Advance Directives.
• Receive information about patient rights and responsibilities, provisions for after-hours and emergency care, and procedure for expressing concerns and complaints and to receive a response.
• To be informed of research and educational projects affecting care or treatment and to agree or decline to participate in such activities.

Students have the responsibility to:

• Keep your scheduled appointment or reschedule if unable to make Respond to communication attempts and requests for feedback.
• Pursue a healthy lifestyle to improve performance and academic success.
• Provide your healthcare providers with complete and accurate information to the best of your ability about medical history, allergies, and medications, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements.
• Treat all Student Health Center staff and other patients with dignity and respect. In doing so, ensure that expression of your cultural and spiritual needs does not interfere with the well-being of others.
• Ask questions about the planned treatment and expected outcome in order to fully comprehend and participate in decisions involving your own healthcare.
• Follow the treatment plan recommended by your provider, or accept full responsibility for not following the recommendations and refusing treatment.
• Protect yourself and others against infections by dressing appropriately (i.e., shoes, shirt, etc).
• Respect others by silencing your cell phones in the exam rooms and waiting areas.
• Be familiar with your health insurance and accept personal financial responsibility for any charges incurred for services rendered.
• Remain for the specified period of time following a procedure as directed by the provider, and have a friend available to transport you home from the health center if recommended by provider.
• Inform the provider about any living will or other directive that could affect your care.