This document outlines the principles of medical confidentiality and exceptions where confidential patient information can be disclosed. Key points include:
- Doctor-patient confidentiality is required by the Hippocratic Oath and extends even after death. Information cannot be shared without patient consent.
- Exceptions allow disclosure to prevent harm to others from communicable disease or if a patient poses a danger. Information can also be shared with those involved in a patient's care or disclosed to courts.
- In certain situations like notifying authorities of reportable diseases or examining patients for insurance, confidential information can be disclosed without consent.
This document outlines the principles of medical confidentiality and exceptions where confidential patient information can be disclosed. Key points include:
- Doctor-patient confidentiality is required by the Hippocratic Oath and extends even after death. Information cannot be shared without patient consent.
- Exceptions allow disclosure to prevent harm to others from communicable disease or if a patient poses a danger. Information can also be shared with those involved in a patient's care or disclosed to courts.
- In certain situations like notifying authorities of reportable diseases or examining patients for insurance, confidential information can be disclosed without consent.
This document outlines the principles of medical confidentiality and exceptions where confidential patient information can be disclosed. Key points include:
- Doctor-patient confidentiality is required by the Hippocratic Oath and extends even after death. Information cannot be shared without patient consent.
- Exceptions allow disclosure to prevent harm to others from communicable disease or if a patient poses a danger. Information can also be shared with those involved in a patient's care or disclosed to courts.
- In certain situations like notifying authorities of reportable diseases or examining patients for insurance, confidential information can be disclosed without consent.
Geneva
require
adherence
to
professional
secrecy
• All
informa(on
about
pa(ent/illness/ family
be
kept
confiden(al
• Doctor
should
maintain
highest
degree
of
confiden(ality
• Confiden(ality
extends
even
aAer
the
pa(ent’s
death
• Never
divulge
it
to
3rd
party,
even
to
rela(ves
without
consent
• Disclosure
would
be
a
breach
of
trust
• If
disclosure
results
in
harm
to
pa(ent,
he
can
sue
doctor
for
damages
•
Informa(on
can
be
divulged
to
3rd
party
only
with
expressed
consent
of
pa(ent
•
In
case
of
minor
or
insane
with
consent
from
guardian
• Informa(on
can
be
shared
with
other
colleagues
involved
in
the
treatment
of
the
pa(ent
• Hospital
authori(es
responsible
for
storing
data
on
pa(ents
securely.
When
ordered
should
be
forwarded
to
courts
confiden(ally
• Informa(on
regarding
illness
of
an
employee
cannot
be
divulged
to
employer
without
consent
of
pa(ent
• In
some
instances
doctor
can
disclose
informa0on
regarding
illness
of
a
pa0ent
• By
breaking
the
professional
secrecy
• When
there
is
a
danger
to
the
public/ pa0ent
or
state
as
a
result
of
a
disease
in
a
pa0ent
• Such
informa0on
should
be
disclosed
directly
to
the
relevant
authority
• Wherever
possible
try
to
obtain
consent
from
the
pa0ent
• But
the
doctor
has
a
right
to
inform
the
relevant
authority
even
if
the
pa0ent
refuses
to
give
consent
• And
doctor
cannot
be
sued
for
damages
Ex.
of
cases
of
privileged
communica5ons
1. Cook/
waiter
in
a
hotel
diagnosed
to
have
typhoid
2.
Driver
of
a
bus/
train
is
found
to
be
colour
blind
3. No0fica0on
of
infec0ous
diseases/occupa0onal
disease/
births/deaths
to
relevant
authori0es
4. Suicidal
tendencies
of
pa0ent
to
be
no0fied
to
parents/
guardian
5. Informa0on
disclosed
to
courts
by
the
doctor
regarding
a
pa0ent
is
absolutely
privileged
6. Medical
examina0on
findings
can
be
disclosed
to
insurance
company
when
taking
an
insurance
policy
7. If
adult
pa0ent
shows
suicidal
tendencies
or
be
a
danger
to
family,
doctor
should
inform
about
the
condi0on
to
the
family
8.
Pa0ent
with
communicable
disease
or
HIV/
AIDS
disclose
it
to
the
family
and
spouse
9.
Inform
police
when
pa0ents
admiSed
following
assault,
accidents,
burns,
poisoning,
criminal
abor0on
and
sexual
assaults
10.
In
a
medical
negligence
case
filed
against
the
doctor
he
can
give
evidence
on
his
pa0ent’s
illness
11.
When
repor0ng
a
case
in
a
medical
journal,
iden0ty
of
pa0ent
should
not
be
disclosed