Medical confidentiality

Question 1

What is the definition of Confidentiality?

Answer 1

The state of keeping or being kept secret or private

Question 2

What are the four domains of the GMC good medical practice?

Answer 2

1. Knowledge, skills and performance
2. Safety and quality
3. Communication, partnership and teamwork
4. Maintaining trust

Question 3

What is the moral obligation in confidentiality?

Answer 3

The moral obligation is clear (and not restricted to medical practitioners) and it extends to children and the dead whose medical affairs may only be discussed with appropriate authorities (e.g. next of kin, executor)

Question 4

What is the only exception in the moral obligation of confidentiality?

Answer 4

Medical certificate of cause of death

Question 5

Medical confidentiality in legal terms

Answer 5

Medical confidentiality is based on the law of contract and equity

Breach of confidentiality constitutes a breach of contract

If the patient can demonstrate that he has suffered harm in the civil courts, reparative damaged will be awarded against the doctor

Question 6

What does GDPR stand for?

Answer 6

General Data Protection Regulations

Question 7

What are situations in which confidentiality can be breached?

Answer 7

1. With the patients consent
2. With other medical practitioners in the patient’s best interest
3. In the doctor’s own defence
4. Statutory requirements - prevention, detection and prosecution of serious crime
5. When directed to by a court of law
6. Protection of other persons
7. In the public interest (terrorism, murder, culpable homicide, rape)
8. Child abuse