medical confidentiality

Medical confidentiality refers to the principle that all information shared between a patient and their healthcare provider is private and should not be disclosed without the patient's consent. This is a cornerstone of the patient-doctor relationship, as it encourages patients to share all necessary information for accurate diagnosis and treatment.12

However, this principle can sometimes conflict with legal obligations. While doctors are generally bound by strict confidentiality, there are rare instances where their duty to society may override their duty to a patient. For example, some may feel obligated to report a patient who continues to drive despite a known medical condition that poses a risk to others. Unlike legal privilege between lawyers and clients, medical confidentiality is not always legally recognized in the same way by courts.2