Duty of care means what?

• A. The right of a patient to refuse treatment.
• B. The obligation under law for a health care worker to perform services that meet the common standards of practice in the community for a comparable worker.
• C. A formal agreement between hospital and insurer.
• D. The ethical code guiding patient interactions.

Answer: (B)

Duty of care is the legal obligation a health care professional has to provide care that meets the standard of practice expected in the community for someone with similar training and experience. This means acting competently, following accepted protocols, making reasonable judgments, and avoiding harm through negligent care. When care falls short of that standard and causes injury or harm, liability can arise.

This isn’t about a patient’s right to refuse treatment—that's about autonomy and informed consent. It's also not a contract between a hospital and an insurer, which is administrative. And while ethical guidelines shape how professionals should behave, duty of care is a legal obligation tied to the standards of professional practice.