Patient Confidentiality
/ˈpeɪʃənt ˌkɒnfɪˌdɛnʃiˈæləti/
Definitions
- (n.) The legal and ethical duty to protect personal health information shared by a patient from unauthorized disclosure.
Doctors must uphold patient confidentiality to maintain trust and comply with health privacy laws.
Forms
- patient confidentiality
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Patient confidentiality is foundational in health law and ethics, requiring clear provisions on information access, exceptions, and penalties in legal documents.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.