RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Bioethics for clinicians: 8. Confidentiality
JF Canadian Medical Association Journal
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 521
OP 524
VO 156
IS 4
A1 I. Kleinman
A1 F. Baylis
A1 S. Rodgers
A1 P. A. Singer
YR 1997
UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/156/4/521.abstract
AB Physicians are obliged to keep information about their patients secret. The understanding that the physician will not disclose private information about the patient provides a foundation for trust in the therapeutic relationship. Respect for confidentiality is firmly established in codes of ethics and in law. It is sometimes necessary, however, for physicians to breach confidentiality. Physicians should familiarize themselves with legislation in their own province governing the disclosure of certain kinds of information without the patient's authorization. Even when no specific legislation applies, the duty to warn sometimes overrides the duty to respect confidentiality. The physician should disclose only that information necessary to prevent harm, and should reveal this information only to those who need to know it in order to avert harm. Whenever possible any breach of confidentiality should be discussed with the patient beforehand.