Protecting Confidentiality

Question 1

Confidentiality

Answer 1

Professional expectation that info about a client not be disclosed, accept when agreed upon by client

Question 2

What is fundamental to confidentiality

Answer 2

Autonomy and discretion (professional judgement)

Question 3

What fundamental ethical principles underlie confidentiality?

Answer 3

Respect of autonomy affirms right to decide who has access to info
Honouring confidentiality demonstrates virtues of integrity, trustworthiness, and respect

Question 4

What are limits of confidentiality

Answer 4

1. Client request for release of info
2. Third party access
3. Court orders
4. Client complaints and litigation
5. Provincial law
6. Duty to warn and protect

Question 5

What is the health professions act

Answer 5

Need to report other health professions in following cases:
1. Incompetence
2. Sexual misconduct
3. Hospitalization for psychiatric care or treatment of drugs or alcohol

Question 6

What are considerations when breaching confidentiality

Answer 6

• provide notice to client if possible (minimize harm to client)
• encourage disclosure by client

Question 7

What are 3 conditions sufficient to impose duty to warn

Answer 7

1. Special relationship
2. A reasonable prediction of conduct that constitutes danger
3. A foreseeable victim (even if not named)

Question 8

How do ethical obligations conflict with legal ones

Answer 8

Law demands disclosure, professional ethics requires silence
If clients know that others will be told about certain things, they will not divulge that info