Want to crib about your doctor? Go online!

The Pune Rugna Hakka Samiti, an NGO working for the rights of patients, on Monday launched an online survey for patients, who never get a chance to share their grievances and/or complaints and experiences.

Giving details about the survey, which is available online at patientrightsindia.blogspot.com, member of the NGO, Dr Abhay Shukla, said the survey would provide people with a platform to rate the health care system in any private hospital in Pune.

“It has been noticed that many patients prefer private hospitals over government-run hospitals with an expectation of quality care. In reality, some end up experiencing appalling quality of care at these hospitals. Many of these patients find no platform to share their grievances and complaints,” Shukla said. All citizens can participate in this online initiative.

Keeping this in mind the Rugna Hakka Samiti has launched its online survey for observance of patients’ rights in private hospitals in the city, so that patients can express their opinion freely.

Shukla, who also coordinator of Sathi-Cehat, added that the main aim of this online survey is to improve medical care at these hospitals and create awareness about patients’ rights among people.

“It is the first such online survey for patients in the city. They can now rate the quality of health care provided by any private hospital in Pune. They can express their opinion about their overall satisfaction and observance of patients’ rights in such private hospitals with the help of this survey,” he added.

This survey includes questions like whether a patient was explained the diagnosis and nature of the illness, common complications that could arise out of the treatment, estimated cost (right to information); whether a patient’s right to seek a second opinion, right to access medical records, right to privacy and confidentiality were respected and whether informed consent was taken during potentially hazardous treatment like surgery.