What should I do?
I cannot disclose the patient’s medical information to anyone including family members or friends. My duty is to maintain confidentiality and protect the integrity of the health record.
Can I tell my friend?
No, I cannot. Sharing that information would be a serious breach of confidentiality and a violation of both ethical standards and privacy laws. My responsibility is to the confidentiality of the patient’s data not to personal relationships.
Can I interfere with family issues?
No. As a health information professional, I have no right to interfere in personal or family matters.
Should my friend not know because she might be at risk?
Although I am worried about my friend’s health and potential risk, it is not my place to disclose confidential information. Instead, I can encourage proper medical and ethical channels—for example, ensuring that the patient receives counseling and is informed of his duty to notify his spouse.
How will you follow the fundamental principles about right to self-determination, doing good and doing no harm to others?
Autonomy: The patient has the right to decide who knows about his medical condition.
Doing Good: I can do good by protecting the patient’s confidentiality and ensuring the case is handled through proper procedures.
Non-Maleficence: The revealing the information to my friend could cause serious harm emotionally, socially and legally to both the patient and myself.
Is not it your obligation and the right of the subject to hold the information?
Yes. As a professional, I am obligated to hold patient information in confidence. It is the patient’s right to privacy and control over their own medical information.
