Patient confidentiality
Patient Confidentiality
Patient confidentiality (pronunciation: /ˈpeɪʃ(ə)nt ˌkɒnfɪˈdɛnʃɪəlɪti/) is a fundamental principle in the field of healthcare that protects personal information gathered by healthcare providers from being disclosed without the patient's consent.
Etymology
The term "patient confidentiality" is derived from the Latin words "patiens" meaning "one who suffers", and "confidentialitas" meaning "spoken in confidence".
Definition
Patient confidentiality refers to the obligation of healthcare providers to keep a patient's personal health information private unless consent to release the information is provided by the patient. This principle is widely regarded as an essential component of effective healthcare because it facilitates the free flow of information between the patient and healthcare provider.
Importance
Patient confidentiality is crucial in maintaining trust between patients and healthcare providers. It encourages patients to seek medical care and to be as honest and forthcoming as possible during the course of their treatment. Violations of patient confidentiality not only damage the patient-provider relationship but can also have legal implications.
Legal Aspects
In many jurisdictions, patient confidentiality is not only a moral obligation but also a legal requirement. In the United States, for example, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides federal protections for personal health information held by covered entities and gives patients certain rights with respect to that information.
Related Terms
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Healthcare Provider
- Medical Ethics
- Informed Consent
- Privacy Law
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