Cancer patients' knowledge about their legal rights

Abstract

The study objectives were: to survey the knowledge that oncology patients have about their legal rights, to identify the most known rights, and verify their knowledge about the procedure for requesting it. A survey was performed applying a checklist instrument during an interview. Participants were 42 oncology patients who were undergoing chemotherapy and their relatives. Of all participants, 57% were female; 28% were between 61 and 70 years old; 62% had completed only primary education; 72% were married; 50% had a family income of 2.6 minimum salaries. 45% were unaware of the benefits; among the existing benefits, retirement was recognized by 23%; 33% stated the medical record as the most important document; 38% had access to the information through the media; 23% had not requested any benefits and 31% reported obtaining some kind of benefit. In conclusion, nurses should work effectively to disseminate the patients' rights, so that benefits are guaranteed and their condition as citizens is respected.