Health, Spirituality and Medical Ethics

Background and Objectives : The objective of this study was to determine and compare the general levels of awareness of patient’s rights among the patients and nurses in training hospitals in Qom province. Methods: In a descriptive analytical study, 150 nurses and 200 hospitalized patients were asked about patient’s rights in all public hospitals in Qom. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed by SPSS. A p -value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The nurses’ total awareness score was significantly higher than the patients’ total awareness score. No significant association was found between the patients’ total awareness and age, gender, educational status, marital status, living place or bedtime. The nurses’ total awareness showed no significant difference with respect to age, marital status and work history. The female nurses’ total score was significantly higher than the male nurses’ total score. Conclusion: These results suggest that increasing awareness especially among patients is needed, if awareness and practices regarding patient’s rights should be improved.