Confidentiality--An analysis of the issue

Today, in the high-tech, fast-paced health care arena in which professionals practice, confidential information and the right to privacy in one's personal life have become very basic concerns of society. Among the general public, a genuine interest exists about potential invasions of privacy and the undermining of confidentiality. Members of society are more educated concerning rights as the result of multimedia and education presented by health care professionals. New challenges for the professional attending to the health needs of society will be encountered as the complexity of health care increases (Pohlman, 1988). One must remember that the most intensely private and personal moments of an individual's life are revealed in hospital settings. Health care professionals have a duty at all times to diligently protect the confidence of each patient unless specific criteria is met so that disclosure is warranted. Dilemmas encountered often are complex and require a certain degree of expertise for resolution to occur. If ethical theory and principles are used in combination with some of the specific guidelines apropos to resolving confidentiality issues, creative solutions can be devised. Professionals, by the very nature of their experience and education, possess the talent to achieve this goal. Consequently, when guidelines for confidential treatment of information are followed, public trust of professionals will be ensured. Once trust is established, a significant step will have been taken toward the solution of problems of confidentiality in modern day health care.