Confidentiality Case Study

Confidentiality is of most importance with respect to a healthy patient-healthcare provider (HCP) relationship. According to Fisher (2013), confidentiality is defined as “the obligation of HCPs to maintain the privacy of their patients by keeping the information patients disclose to them confidential…not absolute, may be breached in order to keep the individual from harming herself or others” (2013). The possibility of a healthcare provider breaching the confidential right of a patient is a concern of many, as they may feel their personal medical information could be used against themselves. The case study “Breaching Privacy to Save Lives: HCP Knowledge of Possible Risk to Non-Patient Family Members” found in Fisher (2013) showcases Peter, a 36-year-old man who has suffered blackouts and recently been diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. This mutation is found in his LQT2 gene and may be the reasoning behind his father’s unexpected death at 40 years of age. Peter’s three siblings have a 50 per cent chance of having the same condition, as well as nine nieces and nephews. A life-threatening feature of the condition is sudden cardiac death and may be prevented by cardiac defibrillators, drugs, or a pairing of these methods. However, Peter says he will only tell his relatives of their …show more content…
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