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    2013. Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling. p. 405.
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  • Print publication year: 2008
  • Online publication date: October 2009

7 - Confidentiality

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Summary

Mr. J is 35 years old. He has had unprotected sex with prostitutes on at least two occasions. Although he is asymptomatic he is worried about the possibility that he may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease and consults his physician. After conducting a careful physical examination and providing appropriate counseling, the physician orders a number of investigations. The blood test comes back with a positive result for HIV. The physician offers to meet with Mr. J and his wife to assist with the disclosure of this information, but Mr. J states that he does not want his wife to know about his condition.

Ms. K is 29 years old and has epilepsy. Her driving license was revoked when she was first diagnosed with epilepsy and she has continued to have seizures every three to four months while on treatment. Ms. K mentions in passing to her physician that she sometimes drives short distances to get groceries. When her physician challenges her about this she says her seizures are very infrequent. Finally, the physician tells her he may have to notify the authorities. Ms. K asks what more the authorities can do as they have already revoked her license. Are they going to leave a police car outside her house to make sure she doesn't drive?

What is confidentiality?

If a person gives information to another in confidence there is an obligation on the person receiving the information not to disclose it to someone else.

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The Cambridge Textbook of Bioethics
  • Online ISBN: 9780511545566
  • Book DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511545566
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REFERENCES
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