Patients' rights constitute a mechanism for changing the care and management within the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). The aim of this study was to present round-table discussions about the rights and obligations of SUS patients within the hospital environment. This was a descriptive, exploratory study, conducted at two hospitals in Fortaleza, Ceará. Three round-table discussions were held at each institution, involving 40 staff members from various professions and sectors. The debate was on the text of the Code of Rights and Obligations of SUS Patients in Ceará. The discourse was analyzed in accordance with the content analysis method of Lawrence Bardin. It was perceived that the consolidated rules made it difficult to put the rights into practice, and the round-table discussion broadened this critical view through its insight. This was shown to be an important educational instrument for citizens' rights and for humanization of the healthcare process.
Patients' rights; Humanization of assistance; Health education