According to the given scenario, my close friend’s husband has HIV and she did not know about that.
1. What should I do?
I should keep the patient’s information private and not tell anyone. My duty is to protect confidentiality.
2. As a health information professional – can you tell your friend?
No, I cannot tell my friend. It would break patient confidentiality and professional ethics.
3. Can you interfere with other people or family issue?
No, I cannot interfere in their personal or family matters. My role is only to manage patient information safely.
4. But, should your friend not know about this because she might be at risk?
Even though she might be at risk, I still cannot tell her directly. I can encourage the patient to tell his wife or inform the doctor or counselor to handle it properly.
5. How will you follow the fundamental principles about right to self-determination, doing good and doing no harm to others?
I respect the patient’s right to privacy (self-determination), I do good by protecting his trust, and I do no harm by avoiding gossip or breach of confidentiality.
6. Isn’t it your obligation and the right of the subject to hold the information?
Yes. It is my obligation to keep the information confidential, and it is the patient’s right to decide who can know about his health condition.