TENSIONS IN SHARING CLIENT CONFIDENCES WHILE RESPECTING AUTONOMY - IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERPROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

This article aims to explore the ethical issues arising from the shari ng of information in the context of interprofessional collaboration. T he increased emphasis on interprofessional working has highlighted the need for greater collaboration and sharing of client information. Thr ough the medium of a case study, we identify a number of tensions that arise from collaborative relationships, which are not conducive to su pporting interprofessional working in an ethically sound manner. Withi n this article, it is argued that the way forward within these collabo rative relationships is to set clear parameters to the professional-cl ient relationship, paying full regard to the autonomy of both the clie nts and the professionals involved. We conclude that this approach to working will place the client at the centre of care provision and argu ments used for not collaborating that are based on breaches of confide ntiality will be negated. Using the approach offered, collaborative wo rking will be not only possible but desirable.