Which of the following might constitute breach of patient-doctor confidentiality?
A. Medical assistant phones patient to convey test results
B. Medical assistant looks at patient’s medical records
C. Receptionist with no medical training makes appointment for patient
D. Receptionist sends checkup reminder for patient to someone other than patient
Two answers stick in my mind..
B could be, if the medical assistant had no business looking into that patients file.
D could be, especially for some speciality doctors (gyn, ob, psychiatrists, drug rehab drs, etc).
Which do you think it the more grievous?
I was thinking B. but still not sure!!!
Be sure you give your REASONS behind your choice(s), just as Bobpursley did. That's the only way anyone in this forum knows what you're thinking.
Do you no harm to the patient
To determine which of the given options might constitute a breach of patient-doctor confidentiality, we need to understand the basic principles of patient-doctor confidentiality. Patient-doctor confidentiality refers to the obligation of healthcare professionals to protect the privacy of patient information and not disclose it without the patient's consent.
Let's assess each option to identify any potential breaches:
A. Medical assistant phones patient to convey test results:
In general, sharing test results over the phone is not considered a breach of patient-doctor confidentiality. However, it can potentially be a breach if the medical assistant doesn't take adequate precautions to verify the identity of the person they are speaking with, thus inadvertently revealing sensitive information to the wrong recipient.
B. Medical assistant looks at patient's medical records:
This situation can potentially be a breach of patient-doctor confidentiality. Medical records contain sensitive and personal information about the patient. If a medical assistant who does not have a legitimate need to access the records views them without proper authorization or a professional need, it violates patient privacy.
C. Receptionist with no medical training makes an appointment for a patient:
This scenario does not directly involve patient-doctor confidentiality. Although the receptionist may come in contact with some personal information during the appointment scheduling process, it is expected that they handle the information confidentially as part of their responsibilities in maintaining patient privacy.
D. Receptionist sends a checkup reminder for a patient to someone other than the patient:
Sending a checkup reminder to someone other than the patient without their consent can constitute a breach of patient-doctor confidentiality. This violates the principle that patient information should only be shared with authorized individuals involved in the patient's care.
Conclusion:
Based on the analysis, options B (medical assistant looking at patient's medical records) and D (receptionist sending checkup reminder to someone other than the patient) might constitute a breach of patient-doctor confidentiality. It is important for healthcare professionals and staff to be aware of patient privacy rights and adhere to proper protocols to protect patient information.