Respecting and breaking confidences: conceptual, ethical and educational issues

Issues of confidentiality are an integral part of professional nursing prac tice, hence reflection on these issues is an integral part of nurse educati on. 'Respecting and breaking confidences: conceptual, ethical and education al issues' argues that reflection must take account of at least two concept ual issues, namely, what is confidential information? and what constitutes a breach of confidentiality? An answer to these questions is logically pres upposed by the ethical questions considered, i.e. what should clients be to ld about the parameters of confidentiality at the first point of contact? a nd what would justify a breach of confidence? The discussion is anchored in a critique of the Advisory Paper (1987) on confidentiality, published by t he United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visitin g. It concludes by drawing out some implications for nurse education.