CONFIDENTIALITY

Definition- 

  • “The ethical principle or legal right that a physician or other health professional will hold secret all information relating to a patient, unless the patient gives consent permitting disclosure”(American Heritage Medical Dictionary, 2007).
  • “The nondisclosure of information except to another authorized person” (Mosby, 2009).
  • Confidentiality can be defined as a set of rules or a promise usually executed through confidentiality agreements that limits access or places restrictions on certain types of information.
  • "The duty of someone who has received confidential information in trust to protect that information and disclose to it others only in accordance with permissions, rules or laws authorizing its disclosure" (According to CNA, 2003)

 Importance of Confidentiality

  • Protect personal information from disclosure.(Workplace confidentiality can be defined as keeping the employee, customer and client information private.)
  • Protect personal and family security.
  • Prevent the improper dissemination of information.
  • Avoid differential treatment by people.
  • Confidentiality provisions also may be necessary to encourage individuals to make use of services designed to help them.
  • Maintaining confidentiality in the workplace is important for building and maintaining trust, and for honest communication between customers, clients and employees.

 Types of Confidentiality

  • Legal confidentiality
  • Medical confidentiality
  • Commercial confidentiality
  • Banking confidentiality

 Four Basic Principles

  • Respect for an individual’s right to privacy.
  • Respect for human relationships in which personal information is shared.
  • Appreciation of the importance of confidentiality to both individuals and society.
  • Expectations that those who pledge to safeguard confidential information will do so.

Benefits of Maintaining Confidentiality -

  • It helps establish trust between client and health professionals.
  • It maintain the clients dignity.
  • The client  feels respected.
  • It gives the client  control and promotes autonomy.
  • It reduces worry on the part of the individual.

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