RESUMO
Introduction: The Right to Information Act 2005 is asignificant development in Indian Democratic fabric. ItProvides a platform for Citizens where they have the right togain access to information which is under Public authority. Theaccess to information under the RTI act 2005 includes a rightto obtain Personal medical information generated within thehospitals and their research projects. The citizens are utilizingthe tool of RTI in health care services which has resulted inimproved care and better management of health centers. ThePresent study was conducted in 794 bedded tertiary careteaching hospital with an aim to find out the profile and patternof applications received through RTI act protocol.Material and Methods: This hospital record basedprospective observational study was carried out in Sherikashmir institute of medical sciences (SKIMS), a tertiary carehospital from October 2016 to February 2018. All the RTIapplications received during the study period were selectedfor the study. The data was collected by an investigator afterscrutiny of received applications and was verified from thedesignated PIO.Results: Among 119 applications, 115 cases (96.6%) weresolved by providing required information Among 115 resolvedRTI applications, majority i.e 47(40.8%) of cases wereresolved between 15-30 days, the process of 46 (40%) RTIapplications was expedited by issuing only one (1) reminderto concerned quarters, 105 cases were concluded at PIO levelwhile 10 applicants appealed to First appellant authority (FAA)which happened to be the Medical superintendent of Hospital,most of the applications were for Policy and Personal section(50, 42.01%), most common subject matter was informationregarding a Hospital staff member (21, 17.64%) and amongthe queries, most were information inquiry (83%, 69.74%).Conclusions: Healthcare personnel must acquire, process,store, retrieve and transfer clinical, administrative andfinancial health information. Privacy and confidentiality areimportant issues and their protection in the fiduciary doctorpatient relationship encourages citizens to seek necessarymedical care and disclosure of information is vital if largerpublic interest is involved.