Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

A vote for no confidence.

Sarah Jane Warwick

    Journal of Medical Ethics
    |December 1, 1989
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Medical confidentiality justifications include autonomy and patient contracts. Removing this principle from healthcare may improve patient outcomes and trust.

    Related Experiment Videos

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same journal

    Retraction: Panem, corticoids and circenses: the ethical fallout of Enhanced Games.

    Journal of medical ethics·2026
    Same journal

    Ethical analysis on time-limited trials in critical care.

    Journal of medical ethics·2026
    Same journal

    Assisted dying and autonomy as an end in itself: a response to Donaldson.

    Journal of medical ethics·2026
    Same journal

    Ethics briefing.

    Journal of medical ethics·2026
    Same journal

    Medical ethics and categorisation.

    Journal of medical ethics·2026
    Same journal

    Suspension or prioritisation? Exploring the ethics of age-based rationing in adult ADHD services.

    Journal of medical ethics·2026

    Area of Science:

    • Medical Ethics
    • Healthcare Policy

    Background:

    • Confidentiality is a cornerstone of medical practice.
    • Justifications often cite patient autonomy, contractual agreements, and societal benefit.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To examine the ethical underpinnings of medical confidentiality.
    • To propose a re-evaluation of confidentiality's role in healthcare.

    Main Methods:

    • Ethical analysis of existing justifications for medical confidentiality.
    • Conceptual review of the impact of confidentiality principles.

    Main Results:

    • The primary justifications for medical confidentiality are respect for autonomy, the doctor-patient contract, and social utility.
    • These justifications may be better served by removing, rather than reinforcing, strict confidentiality.
    Keywords:
    Professional Patient Relationship

    Conclusions:

    • Reconsidering the principle of medical confidentiality could enhance patient care and trust.
    • Shifting away from absolute secrecy may better align with ethical goals of healthcare.