The importance of patient confidentiality

doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7283.421/a

BMJ 2001;322:421 ( 17 February )

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The importance of patient confidentiality

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

As a third year medical student just starting out in clinical medicine, the importance of patient confidentiality has oftenbeen emphasised to me. Unfortunately, until now, it is somethingthat I have not considered in detail. I am probably guilty ofthe odd Friday night pub conversation: "You won't believe whatI saw today." I am sure many of my fellow colleagues would beguilty of thesame.

But while I was completing my special study module on domestic violence my eyes were opened. My tutor asked me to contactseveral victims of violent domestic abuse who had been treatedin the accident and emergency department. I obtained telephonenumbers from patient records. Some individuals, however, had omittedto leave their number. I contacted directory inquiries only todiscover that they were not listed. This suggested that thesepeople had no wish to becontacted.

At my tutor's request, I . . . [Full text of this article]

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Internet may increase stalking of doctors by patients: Santoch Rai
bmj.com, 17 Feb 2001 [Full text]
The Importance of Patient Confidentiality: Terence W Wiseman
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Everyone needs to be aware of confidentiality and access issues!: Susan Munns
bmj.com, 21 Oct 2001 [Full text]