The issue of professional medical confidentiality is one that impacts both nursing theory and practice. As a medical professional working closely with others, it is my responsibility to treat them with understanding and respect, and to make sure that their medical records stay personal. The particular legislation outlining this need depends on the country and/or state a person is in, but the overall need to protect patient privacy stays the same. Local legislation usually outlines the policies regarding the protection, storage and accessibility of patient data to the common public (Maslyanskaya & Alderman, 2019). This field, then, is a big part of the usual practices a medical worker engages in, requiring its degree of competency and knowledge. Confidentiality allows the medical industry to protect the privacy of its clients, giving them an enhanced sense of dignity and autonomy. Additionally, the inability of third parties to access a person’s medical records without their permission can be used to safeguard their wellness from scams and other types of manipulation.
As nurses, the responsibility to keep patients’ afflictions and worries strictly between them and their doctor is one of the profession’s requirements. In my own practice, I strive to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of my patients’ data by never bringing it up in a medical setting unnecessarily. The cooperation of nursing professionals helps the field as a whole to maintain a consistently high level of patient care. Demonstrated by research, the role of a nurse in the healthcare delivery process is used to ensure patient records are kept safely and securely, and the medical information is kept from being shared around carelessly.
Reference
Maslyanskaya, S., & Alderman, E. M. (2019). Confidentiality and consent in the care of the adolescent patient. Pediatrics in Review, 40(10), 508–516. Web.