Patient Dignity, Respect and Non-Discrimination Course for UAE Healthcare Professionals

What you will learn

• Explain the non-discrimination duties in Federal Decree-Law No. (4) of 2016 (Arts 3 and 37) and Cabinet Resolution No. (40) of 2019 (Art. 2), and the grounds each names.
• Describe the definition and penalty in Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2023 and explain where its reach in clinical care is limited.
• Apply the dignity, privacy, translation and religious and cultural respect rights in the Patient's Rights and Responsibilities Charter (Ministerial Resolution No. (14) of 2021).
• Identify the equitable-care and cultural-competence requirements of DHA ST-66 and the Abu Dhabi patient rights policy, and follow those of your own licensing authority.
• Distinguish direct, indirect and institutional discrimination and harassment, and recognise how unconscious bias affects history-taking, examination and documentation.
• Protect physical and informational privacy, including for patients who cannot speak for themselves and for sensitive conditions given extra protection in UAE standards.
• Work effectively with professional interpreters and meet DHA and DOH requirements for interpreters on consent forms.
• Make reasonable adjustments for People of Determination and older patients, presuming capacity in adults and speaking to the patient rather than the companion.
• Respond fairly to discriminatory requests from patients or families and to discrimination or harassment within healthcare teams, using protected speaking-up routes.
• Describe how dignity and discrimination concerns are handled by UAE health authorities and committees, and prepare a reflection and remediation plan that shows specific, verifiable change.

Syllabus

11 sections, about 2 learning hours, 20-question final assessment

1. 1Dignity and non-discrimination in UAE healthcare2 lessons

   • What dignity, respect and non-discrimination mean in clinical practice
   • Why dignity matters so much in UAE practice
2. 2The UAE legal and regulatory framework2 lessons

   • Federal law: professional duties and Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2023
   • The Patient Charter and the emirate standards
3. 3Recognising discrimination and bias in everyday care3 lessons

   • Forms of discrimination in healthcare settings
   • Unconscious bias and clinical decisions
   • Social standing, employers and sponsors
4. 4Privacy, modesty and bodily dignity2 lessons

   • Physical privacy, modesty and personal care
   • Informational privacy and sensitive conditions
5. 5Religion, culture and language3 lessons

   • Respecting religious beliefs and cultural values
   • Language access and professional interpreters
   • Respectful communication and health literacy
6. 6People of Determination, older patients and stigmatised conditions2 lessons

   • People of Determination: accessible and respectful care
   • Older patients and patients with stigmatised conditions
7. 7Fair treatment of colleagues and discriminatory requests2 lessons

   • Fair treatment of colleagues
   • Discriminatory requests from patients and speaking up
8. 8When dignity becomes a complaint: process, insight and remediation2 lessons

   • How dignity and discrimination concerns are handled
   • Red flags, documentation, insight and remediation
9. 9Conclusion and key points1 lesson

   • Conclusion and key points
10. 10References and further reading1 lesson

    • References and further reading
11. 11Your reflective account1 lesson

    • Your reflective account

Course facts

CPD value

Approximately 2 learning hours (self-directed CPD, including knowledge checks, reflection and assessment)

Audience

Licensed doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and allied health staff in the UAE (MOHAP, DHA, DOH, SHA or Dubai Healthcare City licences), in public and private settings

Standards covered

Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2023 Concerning Combating Discrimination, Hatred and Extremism (Arts 1, 6); Federal Decree-Law No. (4) of 2016 on Medical Liability (Arts 3, 4, 5, 37); Cabinet Resolution No. (40) of 2019 (Art. 2); Ministerial Resolution No. (14) of 2021 (Patient's Rights and Responsibilities Charter); DHA Standards for Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct ST-66 (2025); DHA Guidelines for Patient Consent GU-05 (2024); DHA Standards for Health Information Consent and Access Control (2025); HAAD/DOH Patient Rights and Responsibilities policy; DOH Patient Consent Standard (2025); Federal Law No. (9) of 2019 on the Rights of Senior Emiratis; Federal Law No. (2) of 2019 (Art. 16); Cabinet Resolution No. (33) of 2016 (Art. 8); Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. (49) of 2024; Federal Laws No. (5) of 2019 and No. (6) of 2023 (penalties); Abu Dhabi Law No. (10) of 2018

Format

Self-paced, gated lessons with knowledge checks, UAE case studies and reflection

Assessment

20 scenario-based questions, 80% to pass (16 of 20)

Outcome

Certificate of completion and a written reflection for your professional development portfolio

Alignment

Supports DHA Code of Ethics ST-66 Standard 1 (General Principles), Standard 2 (Act in Patient's Best Interests), Standard 4 (Respect Patient Autonomy and Obtain Informed Consent; ss.8.1.7–8.1.8 on same-gender preferences and opposite-gender examination), Standard 5 (Maintain Privacy, Confidentiality and Data Protection), Standard 6 (professional integrity and accountability, including protection for those who report concerns, ss.10.1.9–10.1.10) and Standard 8 (Ensure Professional and Ethical Communication at All Times); the national Patient's Rights and Responsibilities Charter used by MOHAP, DHA, DOH and SHA; and the federal non-discrimination duties that apply to every licensed healthcare professional

Price

AED 349

Who this course is for

Physicians, dentists, nurses and midwives, pharmacists and allied health professionals in government and private facilities across the UAE.

Written for professionals licensed by any UAE authority: MOHAP, DHA, DOH, SHA or DHCR. Where the rules differ, the course explains the difference.