Confidential communications in medical care

Since the legal consequences taking in consideration of Indian evidence Act 1857 of an unwarranted release of confidential information are uncertain and even the consequences may be serious, it is necessary that a physician be most cautious when divulging any information about a patient. Although there are exceptions to the proposition that all confidential information acquired from a patient should be kept secret, the basic rule to remember is that confidential information should not be revealed without obtaining the patient's consent unless law of the land like provision in criminal procedure code of India requires the physician to report the information, to any person or insurance company. Whenever a physician believes it is necessary to reveal a professional secret to protect the welfare of a patient, a third person, or the community, he should exercise caution in the method of disclosure. The following suggestions have been made to guide physicians under these circumstances: 1. Assure yourself that the person informed is sometime entitled to the information, such as the patient's parent or guardian. 2. Do not give information by telephone if you do not recognize the voice of the person making the request. 3. Avoid the use of telegrams or letters to communicate medical information of patient. 4. If you are in doubt about your right to release the information consult your legal council. 5. A person in police custody as an undertrial prisoner has the right not to permit the doctor who has examined him, to disclose the nature of his illness to any person. If a person is convicted, he has no right and the doctor can disclose the result to the authorities. 6. Never release the treatment history without written consent from patient or its legal heirs to any insurance company.