Law and Ethics in Conflict Over Confidentiality?

International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Vol. 70, pp. 385-391, 2000

7 Pages Posted: 22 Nov 2006

See all articles by Bernard Dickens

Bernard Dickens

University of Toronto - Faculty of Law

Rebecca J. Cook

University of Toronto - Faculty of Law

Abstract

Ethical principles that require the preservation of patients' confidential information are reinforced by principles found in several areas of law, such as law on contracts, negligence, defamation and fiduciary duty. However, laws sometimes compel disclosures of medical confidences, and more often may justify or excuse disclosures. Legally contentious issues concern patients' confidences regarding possible unlawful conduct, such as pregnancy termination, and the risk of spread of HIV and other infections. This article reviews the various legal bases of the duty of confidentiality, and legal challenges to the ethical obligation of non-disclosure. It addresses the justifications and limits of exchange of patients' health information among healthcare professionals and trainees, and considers legally recognized limits of confidential duties, and the scope of legitimate disclosure. An underlying theme is how to determine whether physicians are ethically justified in employing the discretion the law sometimes affords them to breach patients' expectations of confidentiality.

Keywords: Confidentiality, Disclosure of confidential information, Legal confidentiality, Lawful disclosure of records, Record confidentiality, Disclosure of dangerousness, Ethics and confidentiality

JEL Classification: I18, K19

Suggested Citation

Dickens, Bernard and Cook, Rebecca J., Law and Ethics in Conflict Over Confidentiality?. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Vol. 70, pp. 385-391, 2000, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=946463

Bernard Dickens (Contact Author)

University of Toronto - Faculty of Law ( email )

78 and 84 Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C5
Canada
416-978-4849 (Phone)
416-978-7899 (Fax)

Rebecca J. Cook

University of Toronto - Faculty of Law ( email )

78 Queen's Park Cr.
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C5
Canada
416-978-4446 (Phone)
416-978-7899 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
442
Abstract Views
3,752
Rank
120,407
PlumX Metrics