YOUR RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
As our patient, we respect and honor your rights. Please review the Patient Rights & Responsibilities form in the Reference section to understand your rights and responsibilities as a patient at UAB Hospital.
Advance Care Planning
It can be difficult for doctors and loved ones to know what kind of treatment you want if you are unable to tell them. The best way to make sure your wishes are respected is to discuss them with your health care provider and your loved ones while you’ re healthy and then fill out an Advance Directive form. Please refer to the Advance Care Planning page in the Reference section for information about how to develop an advance care plan.
Once completed, copies of your plan should be given to your health care provider and to those closest to you, so they can help carry out your wishes. If you already have an advance directive, please provide a copy to your nurse or physician.
KNOW YOUR CARE TEAM
UAB Hospital is a teaching hospital, and a team of health care providers will take care of you. All physicians and staff are required to wear a photo identification badge that displays their name and title. All members of the care team are expected to introduce themselves and explain their role in your care and what you can expect.
Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers
Your care will be coordinated by an attending physician alongside other providers, who may include:
• Consulting Physician – may see you at the request of your attending physician for specialized needs
• Fellow Physician – a medical doctor pursuing in-depth knowledge in a specialized area of medicine
• Resident Physician – a medical doctor enrolled in an educational program to expand his or her knowledge prior to practicing alone
• Medical Student – may observe your care or assist in limited ways
• Advanced Practice Provider – treats both physical and mental conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, physical therapy, ordering tests, and assisting with therapies for patients. An Advanced Practice Provider is qualified to treat certain medical conditions without the direct supervision of a physician. At UAB Hospital an Advanced Practice Provider can be any of the following specialties: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist( CRNA), Certified Nurse Practitioner( CRNP) or Physician Assistant( PA).
Although your physician team may change during your stay, we expect everyone to introduce themselves when they join the team. uabmedicine. org 3