What is confidentiality in health care?

Confidentiality within health care is the idea that the information shared between a health care professional and a patient will remain private unless the patient consents to allow the information to be released. Like other principles of medical ethics, the idea of confidentiality is very old. The Hippocratic Oath, originating in ancient Greece, states, “whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession . . . if it be what should not be published abroad, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets.”

Confidentiality helps to build trust between patients and health care professionals. In such a relationship, trust is essential. If what was said to a health care professional was not confidential, a patient would lack the trust required to share personal details regarding sensitive topics, and treatment would be lacking.

Of course, as with other principles of medical ethics, there are times when exceptions to confidentiality must be made. For example, consider a scenario in which members of a medical team might need to share confidential information about a patient in order to better coordinate treatment. However, this sharing of information should not extend beyond the immediate health care professionals involved, otherwise a breach in ethics can occur.

Other seemingly harmless acts––such as discussing a patient in a restaurant––can represent violations of confidentiality. Even divulging medical information to the patient’s spouse or close family member is considered a violation of confidentiality unless the patient has consented to allow such information to be shared.