General Osteopathic Council

Osteopathic
Practice
Standards

Osteopathic Practice Standards > A. Communication and patient partnership > A3. You must give patients the information they want or need to know in a way they can understand.

A3. You must give patients the information they want or need to know in a way they can understand.

  1. Before examining or treating a patient you should ensure that they understand:
    1. their rights as a patient, including the right to have a chaperone present and to stop the examination or treatment at any time
    2. what they can realistically expect from you as an osteopath.
  2. You should discuss care options, encourage patients to ask questions, and deal with these clearly, fully and honestly. You should inform your patients of anticipated benefits as well as any material or significant risks associated with the treatment you are proposing, and confirm their understanding of these. If proposing no treatment, you should explain any potential risks and benefits associated with this.
  3. If you propose to examine or treat a patient who has difficulty communicating or understanding, you should take all reasonable steps to assist them. For example, make use of an appropriate interpreter if the patient communicates in a different language to you. If you are unable to communicate sufficiently with the patient, you should not treat them.