CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT: COGNIZANCE AMONG MEDICAL AND DENTAL PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Background: Consumer Protection Act (CPA) aims to protect the interests of the patients in case of
any unethical treatment rendered by a medical or a dental health professional. The present study was
conducted to assess awareness of CPA among medical and dental professionals in Bhubaneswar city.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 269 private medical and
dental professionals in Bhubaneswar. A close-ended self-structured questionnaire was administered
which contained 20 questions on awareness regarding CPA. Statistical analysis was done using chi
square test.The p value was set at p>0.05.
Results:The number of male subjects(145, 54%) were comparatively more as compared to the female
subjects (124, 46%).Approximately, 85.5 % of total professionals had heard about the consumer
protection act out of which 121 (45%, p value =0.008) were dentists.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that only one third of the subjects were aware of
the existence of CPA. Therefore, dental professionals need to keep them updated of various rules and
latest amendments to save themselves from any litigation