The integrity of medical confidentiality and privacy make up the basis of healthcare, which, in turn, protects patients’ intimate details and empowers them to make their own decisions. These values are not just legal, compulsory, or administrative formalities but also the moral principles of the provider-patient relationship (Tariq & Hackert, 2023). This paper examines privacy/confidentiality in the healthcare system, how the problem happens, and the evidence-based interventions that could be done to regulate these challenges.
Background Knowledge
The autonomy and beneficence of the patient and provider depend on mutual respect, privacy, and confidentiality. Patients disclose private information to healthcare professionals, which requires information security to prevent data leakage. The obligation is not confined only to notifying individuals directly affected. Privacy entails personal autonomy, dignity, and decisions related to health records and choices. Breaches undermine trust, leading to the failure to share any information or treatment. Such violations may result in the negative impact such as social stigma and discrimination. Practice-based strategies are fundamental to upholding ethical care principles about respecting autonomy, dignity, and privacy.
Discussing Opposing Viewpoints
Maintaining the patient’s confidentiality is a primary healthcare professional’s responsibility. However, there are circumstances where there is non-adherence to policies and principles of privacy to ensure the patient’s safety or public health and ethical issues about balancing patients’ privacy concerns and the healthcare provider’s professional duties (Eg & Jensen, 2023).
Challenges Imposed in Practice
Healthcare providers in the digital age are increasingly vulnerable to protecting patients’ privacy and confidentiality because EHRs are used, and data breaches and cybersecurity risks occur (Eg & Jensen, 2023). Also, cultural variance and language difficulties may prove a barrier for patients to grasp confidentiality and privacy rights, resulting in a misjudged and distrustful situation.
Literature Review
Title: Behind Open Doors: Patient Privacy and the Impact of Design In Primary Health Care, A Qualitative Study in Indonesia
The study in Indonesia’s primary healthcare settings emphasized the perceptions of personal privacy among patients and physicians to enhance national health coverage. Researchers investigated privacy and confidentiality through interviews, observations, and thematic analysis. Methods included interviewing primary healthcare users, doctors, staff, and non-users and watching primary healthcare activities (Pratiwi et al., 2022). Data revealed that although privacy is a priority, it is usually infringed upon with open doors, patients needing to be better separated, and providers asking personal questions. Information may be compromised, leading to a decline in quality of care, such as in physical examination and anaesthesia administration.
Measures to Guarantee Patient Information Confidentiality and Safety
PHC design modifications include individual treatment rooms and closed consultation room doors for patient privacy. Training the staff is essential for them to know the importance of privacy and to ensure confidentiality. Informational privacy policies limit access to medical data while implementing rules and guidelines to protect privacy. Information dissemination campaigns explain Legal rights to patients, and privacy violations are discouraged.
Implications From the Research
This study underlines healthcare providers’ ethical duty to protect patient privacy, essential for patient trust and quality of care. Poor privacy measures may discourage treatment and complicate accurate diagnosis and treatment. Privacy concerns enhance patient satisfaction, confidence, and equity by protecting vulnerable populations from discrimination. Including privacy in healthcare infrastructure improves patient-centred care and increases overall system capacity. Constant research and assessment are the pillars of adapting interventions to patients’ changing needs while ensuring healthcare privacy and confidentiality.
In conclusion, ethical obligations, together with privacy protection that meets the standards of healthcare privacy and confidentiality, enrich the quality of patient experiences and contribute to the efficiency of healthcare systems.
References
Eg, M., & Jensen, C. S. (2023). The challenges of maintaining patient confidentiality in pediatric settings. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 69(69), 18–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2022.12.022
Karasneh, R. A., Al-Azzam, S. I., Alzoubi, K. H., Hawamdeh, S. S., & Muflih, S. M. (2019). Patient data sharing and confidentiality practices of researchers in Jordan. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, Volume 12, 255–263. https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s227759
Pratiwi, A. B., Padmawati, R. S., & Willems, D. L. (2022). Behind open doors: Patient privacy and the impact of design in primary health care. A qualitative study in Indonesia. Frontiers in Medicine, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.915237
Tariq, R. A., & Hackert, P. B. (2023, January 23). Patient confidentiality. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519540/
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