ethics - confidentiality

Question 1

confidentiality

Answer 1

Two important aspects of confidentiality:
the patient’s right to privacy, and;
the practical necessity for the condition of trust.

Question 2

privacy

Answer 2

The obligation of confidentiality is an implicit promise of the professional, or;
an implicit contract of the professional relationship;

Question 3

legal considerations in the rx bwteeen health professionals and patients

Answer 3

The relationship between the health care professional and patient, is not protected by legal privilege
- can be called to breach confidentiality
court must balance public interst in maintaining confidentiality against its interest in disclosure

Question 4

how to gain consent for confidentiality breach

Answer 4

When patients give consent for disclosure you must make sure that they understand what will be disclosed, the reasons for disclosure and the likely consequences

Question 5

exceptions of duty of confidentailtu

Answer 5

Disclosure with the patients consent
Disclosure within the health care team
Disclosure without consent in the patient’s medical interests
Disclosure in the interest of others
Disclosure in connection with legal proceedings:
Disclosure in accordance with statutory requirements
Disclosure for the purposes of clinical teaching, research or audit