Patients’ Privacy and Confidential Information Essay (Critical Writing)

The issue of maintaining patients’ privacy and confidential information is a complicated one for healthcare providers. There are situations, indeed, when patients cannot give consent to the release of their data, especially in regards to emergencies. Doctors are presented with an ethical dilemma as to whether the release of information is warranted considering the potential implications. Openness and transparency can serve as tools for fostering positive relationships between healthcare providers and their patients as well as helping to weigh in the advantages and disadvantages of information being released. Therefore, doctors must communicate the possibility of potential information leaks during emergencies for patients to be informed. Also, it is recommended to contact friends or family regarding the matter of data leaks. They may have a better understanding of whether the release of personal data can lead to any adverse consequences.