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Persons with obesity are frequently the victims of discrimination. Obesity is often described as the last 'acceptable' form of discrimination based on physical appearances. |
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Discrimination |
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AOA's Patient's Bill of Rights |
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The following statement of the rights of patients has been adopted by the American Obesity Association.
- Patients have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
- Patients have the right to know of treatment options and degree of realistic outcomes of various options.
- Patients have the right to know that being overweight or obese is a serious disease with known health risks.
- Patients have the right to know that obesity is a chronic health disease, requiring personal effort over many years and probably involving lifelong
- changes in diet, exercise and behavior.
- Patients have the right to know that rapid weight loss may cause serious health problems.
- Patients have the right to know the anticipated cost and duration of services.
- Patients have the right to know the provider's qualifications.
- Providers have a duty to maintain currency with obesity research and best practices appropriate to their specific profession.
- Providers have a duty to determine each patient's medical and psychological condition prior to provision of services.
- Providers have a duty to counsel each patient about realistic weight loss goals, the timelines to reach those goals and the diet, exercise and
- behavioral changes necessary to maintain weight loss and achieve associated health benefits.
- Providers shall always provide for the best interests of the patient and will not recommend or provide products or services which are not reasonably
- expected to be effective without informing the patient that they are participating in an experimental program and obtaining their informed consent.
- Providers shall inform patients of this Bill of Rights as a member of AOA and their adherence to it.
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