Australia RACGP Standards for General Practices (5th edition) C2.1: Respectful and culturally appropriate care: care takes account of each patient's rights, beliefs and religious and cultural background; patients are told the risks of declining a treatment, advice or procedure; the practice accepts a patient's right to another opinion; distressed patients are given privacy; and the clinical team has a way of working through ethical dilemmas

What does C2.1 require?

Respect is built into how the practice delivers care. The team considers patients' rights and their beliefs and cultural and religious backgrounds in how care is offered, for example gender preference for a practitioner, dietary or modesty considerations and culturally safe care for First Nations patients. When a patient declines treatment, advice or a procedure, the clinician explains the risks of that choice and records the discussion. Patients may seek a second opinion without penalty. A patient who becomes distressed is offered a private space. The clinical team has a forum or process for discussing ethical dilemmas and knows where to seek guidance.