Patient Rights
- To receive high quality, accessible, and culturally sensitive medical care.
- To be treated with respect, consideration, privacy, and dignity.
- To receive treatment and care without discrimination with regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, ability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
- To maintain confidentiality of patient medical records and disclosures.
- To know one’s provider’s name, specialty, and position; to have access, upon request, of Student Health Services (SHS) process to verify provider credentials; to specify preference regarding gender of provider; and to change provider if requested, depending on availability.
- Patients have the right to have an assistant or chaperone present during a physical examination, treatment, or procedure performed by a health professional and the right not to remain disrobed any longer than is required to accomplish the medical purpose for which the patient was asked to disrobe.
- To receive complete, current information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in understandable terms prior to treatment.
- To be informed of the benefits, possible risks or side effects of treatment, alternate methods, and the medical consequences of treatment refusal.
- To have access to other medical opinions before making treatment decisions.
- To be informed if there is an absence of malpractice insurance coverage.
- To have been provided, as required by law, a Notice of Privacy Practices.
- To express any dissatisfaction to one’s provider, SHS staff, Student Health Advisory Committee, or the Director of the SHS.
- To have information accessible from SHS regarding its protocol and procedure for patient comments, suggestions, or grievances.
- To be informed of personal responsibilities involved in seeking medical treatment and maintaining health and well-being after treatment.
- To have access to health education materials.
- To be informed of the right to refuse to participate in any research conducted at the SHS.
- To receive information from SHS medical records, upon request, about advanced health directives.
Patient Responsibilities
- To provide a valid SF State ID# and SF State or government issued photo identification at each visit.
- To present details of condition in a clear, and direct manner.
- To respond to other patients and SHS staff with respect and consideration.
- To maintain and monitor an SF State Registrar approved email account.
- To ask for clarification if information or instructions are not understood.
- To be on time for appointments, and if unable to keep an appointment, to cancel immediately so another patient can be scheduled at that time.
- To assist provider in developing an individualized quality treatment plan.
- To pay any uncovered charges.
- To express grievances to the appropriate person as defined in SHS’ protocol.
- To obtain adequate health insurance (as applicable) if possible, be familiar with policy coverage, and provide information as needed for appropriate provider
Health care is a cooperation between patients and providers.
Revised 1/15/2026