While having dinner at a restaurant with a colleague, a physician notices one of his patients sitting at a neighboring table with her husband. When exiting the restaurant, the patient approaches the table and exchanges some brief pleasantries with the physician's colleague. She then nods briefly in the physician's direction but says nothing to him. The physician acknowledges the gesture with a smile. Afterward, the physician's colleague asks, "Is she your patient? She's a family friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I have been worried about her and wonder how she's doing." Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the physician to his colleague?

Question

While having dinner at a restaurant with a colleague, a physician notices one of his patients sitting at a neighboring table with her husband.  When exiting the restaurant, the patient approaches the table and exchanges some brief pleasantries with the physician's colleague.  She then nods briefly in the physician's direction but says nothing to him.  The physician acknowledges the gesture with a smile.  Afterward, the physician's colleague asks, "Is she your patient?  She's a family friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  I have been worried about her and wonder how she's doing."  Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the physician to his colleague?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Physicians are ethically obligated to protect patient confidentiality in all situations, including non-medical settings and in interactions with physician colleagues who are not serving as health care providers for the patient. The most appropriate response in this situation is for the physician to not divulge any information regarding the patient's condition or treatment, including whether she is his patient, as the physician's colleague is not part of the treatment team and the patient has not consented to sharing personal health information with this individual. The physician should neither lie to protect patient confidentiality (Choice A) nor confirm or deny whether she is, in fact, a patient. (Choices B, D, E, and F) All these statements violate patient confidentiality. Educational objective: It is unethical to discuss any information regarding a patient's diagnosis and treatment with another individual, including a physician who is not involved in the patient's care. Likewise, the physician should neither confirm nor deny whether the person of interest is, in fact, a patient. __________ References: Confidentiality breaches in clinical practice: what happens in hospitals? (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27590300) Ethics and patient privacy. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19019793)

While Having Dinner at a Restaurant with a Colleague, a Physician