Do patients have the right to refuse treatment or examination by students?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only with consent
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

The main principle here is patient autonomy in medical care. Patients have the right to decide who may participate in their examination or treatment, including whether a student can be present or act during the visit. If a patient does not want a student involved, the clinician should respect that decision and proceed with the care without the student. In teaching settings, clinicians should still discuss consent for student involvement, but that consent does not override the patient’s right to refuse. The other options misstate this balance: one denies the right to refuse, another implies consent is the only condition for participation, and one says there is never a right to refuse.