Privacy and Release of Information

Running head: PRIVACY AND RELEASE OF INFORMATION
Privacy and Release of Information
Student’s Name
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PRIVACY AND RELEASE OF INFORMATION 2
Privacy and Release of Information
1. Explain the key issue in this scenario (2mrks)
The key issue in this scenario is breach of confidentiality of a patient. Mr. Tremaine
obtains the medical records of his wife due to their constrained marriage relationship. It is
both unethical and professional to obtain the medical information of a patient without
their knowledge and for such selfish motives (Murphy, 2017). It is a breach of the code of
medical ethics.
2. What type of breach would you say occurred in this scenario? (2mrks)
The breach that occurs in this case is that of use of the information of client without
authority/due procedure. Mr. Tremaine looks for the medical records of his wife for no
work-related reasons. This amounts to breach of the confidentiality if patient information.
This is one of the breaches that can be reported to a commissioner for it is involves an
individual who knowingly accessed the information of a patient knowing that the move is
illegal and unethical.
3. What kind of information was breached and was there harm to the patient? (2
mrks)
The information breached is patient history records. The patient in this case is Mrs.
Tremaine. In addition to obtaining her files from the hospital, Mr. Tremaine also uses his
authority as a physician to request for a requisition of the medical records of the patient.
There is no physical harm suffered by the patient. The move could however cause
psychological and emotional harm due to the breach of confidence.