Is it legitimate and perhaps mandatory to break a patients confidence?

The GMC states that patients have a right to expect that information about them will be held in confidence by their doctors. Only in exceptional circumstances can a doctor consider breaching this duty, for example where a failure to disclose the information could lead to a risk of serious harm to others.

Can doctor-patient confidentiality be broken?

There are privacy regulations, and specific legislations targeted toward protecting information such as HIV status and the like. So what protection you may be given might depend heavily on where you live. And the right can be broken, through a court order that breaks doctor-patient confidentiality.

What are the exceptions to patient confidentiality?

Exceptions to Doctor-Patient Confidentiality A physician or other medical personnel is treating injuries that could prompt a criminal investigation (gunshot wounds, suspected child abuse, intoxication-related car accident injuries, etc.) The patient is a danger to themselves or others.

When can nurses break confidentiality?

To provide a simple answer: you may, in certain circumstances, override your duty of confidentiality to patients and clients if it’s done to protect their best interests or the interests of the public. This means you may override your duty if: You have information that suggests a patient or client is at risk of harm.

When should you break confidentiality in health and social care?

Care workers can also break confidentiality if they suspect an individual is going to seriously harm themselves or someone else. In extreme situations, a health and social care worker may also need to reveal information about their client in court if called upon to do so.

What circumstances justify breaching confidential?

Situations in which confidentiality will need to be broken: There is disclosure or evidence of physical, sexual or serious emotional abuse or neglect. Suicide is threatened or attempted. There is disclosure or evidence of serious self-harm (including drug or alcohol misuse that may be life-threatening).

When can you disclose patient information?

Health care providers may disclose the necessary protected health information to anyone who is in a position to prevent or lessen the threatened harm, including family, friends, caregivers, and law enforcement, without a patient’s permission.

What are the consequences of breaching patient confidentiality?

Breach of patient confidentiality consequences can include a sizeable award for damages and a loss of reputation for a doctor or healthcare clinic. To guard against these types of breach of patient confidentiality consequences, many healthcare businesses purchase malpractice insurance.

What is an example of breach of confidentiality in healthcare?

Most often, a breach can happen when a nurse shares patient information with a person who is not a member of the healthcare team or when a patient’s electronic medical record is accessed for a personal reason when a nurse is not providing care.

When can a breach of patient confidentiality be justified?

Patient confidentiality: when can a breach be justified? 1 Confidentiality is central to the preservation of trust between doctors and their patients. 2 Patient confidentiality is not absolute. 3 Legitimate exceptions are disclosures with patient consent, when required by law and where there is a public interest.

Should physician–patient confidentiality be maintained?

Physicians and other clinicians should always seek a private space to discuss a case with colleagues. Additionally, with electronic records, maintaining doctor–patient confidentiality has become more challenging, with some health information systems being hacked and held for ransom.

What is the most difficult to control breaches of patient confidence?

Some of the most difficult to control breaches of patient confidentially occur inadvertently, by chatting about a case in the hallway or on the elevator. You never know who is in hearing distance. Physicians and other clinicians should always seek a private space to discuss a case with colleagues.

What is the objective of a confidential relationship with a doctor?

The objective of this confidential relationship is to make patients feel comfortable enough to seek treatment and provide any and all relevant information. This helps the doctor to make a correct diagnosis and provide the best possible care.