BIOETHICS FOR CLINICIAN .8. CONFIDENTIALITY

PHYSICIANS ARE OBLIGED TO KEEP INFORMATION about their patients secret . The understanding that the physician will not disclose private infor mation about the patient provides a foundation for trust in the therap eutic 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 t hemselves with legislation in their own province governing the disclos ure of certain kinds of information without the patient's authorizatio n. Even when no specific legislation applies, the duty to warn sometim es 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.