As a health information professional, I have an ethical and professional obligation to maintain patient confidentiality.
I am not allowed to disclose the information to anyone without the patient’s consent. Revealing it would be a serious breach of confidentiality, violating both professional ethics and legal standards such as patient privacy laws.
I also cannot interfere with family or personal matters related to the patient. My duty is to manage and protect health information—not to make personal judgments or decisions about how the patient handles their condition. While I may feel concerned for my friend’s health and safety, I must act within my professional boundaries.
In terms of ethical principles:
Right to self-determination: The patient has the right to control who knows about his medical condition.
Doing good (beneficence) and doing no harm (non-maleficence): My role is to protect the patient’s rights and trust in the health system. Breaching confidentiality could cause emotional and social harm to both the patient and my friend.
Justice and professional integrity: All patients deserve equal respect for their privacy, regardless of personal relationships.
Although the situation presents a moral dilemma, the correct action is to respect confidentiality. If I am deeply concerned about the possible risk to my friend, I could encourage the patient (through proper channels) to disclose his condition to his spouse or seek counseling services, but I must never disclose it myself. Upholding confidentiality protects the integrity of the health profession and ensures trust in the healthcare system.