Confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of the physician-patient re
lationship. Patients expect that their health care will be kept confid
ential, and the physician's legal and ethical responsibilities mandate
this. Nevertheless, important, countervailing societal interests requ
ire that confidentiality be sacrificed under some circumstances. Patie
nts, too, have legitimate access to their health care information. Fam
iliarity with legal and local aspects of confidentiality will facilita
te patient care and help protect the physician against allegations of
breach of the patient's confidentiality.