Patients, and their families, Parents and Guardians, in case of Children being the Patients, and Surrogates (and surrogate decision-makers) have responsibilities when interacting with Healthcare Providers. This collaborative interaction improves the outcome of the Healthcare Providers. 

Surrogate in Healthcare is a Person appointed to make Medical Decisions on behalf of a Patient who is unable to do so themselves, typically due to his/her incapacitation. Surrogates provide informed consent for Medical Treatments and Procedures on behalf of the patient. 

A Surrogate is needed when a patient lacks the capacity to make
informed decisions about their healthcare, due to conditions like unconsciousness, dementia, or severe illness. 

Patients can legally appoint a Surrogate attorney-in-fact through documents like a Healthcare power of attorney, or a living will. Court may also appoint surrogates. 

The National Health Policy must specify and elucidate these responsibilities. In most countries, these are coded as Duties of a Patient, and notified at all places of providing Healthcare Services, as a Legal requirement. 

The following is an illustrative list of Duties of a Patient, when seeking Healthcare Services. 

1. To provide his/her Treating Physician  with complete information concerning the facts and circumstances of his/her Current Health and past medical history; prior hospitalizations, current medications, allergies, and all other health-related matters; to allow his/her Physician to examine him/her physically; to allow his/her Physician to advice and/or undertake various diagnostic procedures; and to provide samples of various body fluids and tissues for testing in the Laboratory.  

2. To Obey all the instructions and directions of his/her Physician including the instructions for Rest, Diet, Exercise and Mode of Life. 

3. To promptly report to his/her Physician, any unexpected problems or changes in your medical condition. 

4. To inform his/her Physician any concerns that have not been adequately addressed. 

5. To refrain from behaviour that places the Health of others at risk, especially to prevent transmission of Infectious Disease. This duty can also be imposed Legally at times of Epidemics and Pandemics. 

6. To refrain from being disruptive at all places providing Healthcare Services. All places providing Healthcare Services are considered Public Places and a non- disruptive behaviour is a Legal requirement. 

7. Do not participate in a Medical Fraud, knowingly. 
8. To meet their Financial Responsibilities with regard to provision of Healthcare Services or discuss any financial hardships with their Physicians. This also requires judicious use of limited Healthcare Services, as available. It includes the Patient duty to pay his/her Physician and other organisations including the Hospital, Diagnostic Service, Laboratory, etc., the notified fees for the services rendered. 
   
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   Optionally, the National Health Policy may specify that prior Undertaking may be obtained from the Patient or his/her guardians for making necessary payments and to settle all accounts, before discharge from the Hospital. This will require that Healthcare services or the Hospital tariff should be made available for examination and understanding by the patient or his/her representative, at all times.