Doctors focus on medical
ethics, professionalism and confidentiality
What every doctor wishes he or
she could tell nurses is invariably restricted to some extent, because of
medical ethics, professionalism and confidentiality. Doctors strive to achieve,
as well as to maintain, a high level of medical ethics, professionalism and
confidentiality with respect to disclosure of patient information to registered
nurses, health care professionals, family members and others, because this is a
basic tenet or principle of their vocation.
At the same time, there may be
a fine line between what doctors wish they could tell registered nurses and
what they actually can disclose, while still maintaining a high standard of
medical ethics, as well as a degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
A doctor assumes the leadership
role in terms of the medical profession and health care. At times, a decision
about what information can be disclosed to registered nurses, demands a judgment
call by a doctor. What is disclosed is ultimately the doctor's decision.
Professionalism, in conjunction
with a high standard of medical ethics, allows the disclosure of sensitive or
private information deemed to be appropriate and essential for medical
treatment and health care by doctors.
Being a doctor is a high calling. A doctor's licensure can
be at stake for breaches of ethics, professionalism and confidentiality. A
doctor acts as a role model for registered nurses and other health care
professionals, as well as for patients and their families. He or she sets an
example for the community, in which he or she practices.
Ongoing, communication between doctors and registered nurses on a professional level, is vital in the medical and health care field. When medical or health care oriented communication breaks down, it is possible that medical and health care may regress and patients may suffer, even though that should not be allowed to happen.
The importance of medical
ethics, professionalism and confidentiality for doctors, with respect to
appropriate communication, is emphasized in the original version of the
Hippocratic Oath.
What is the Hippocratic Oath?
"The Hippocratic Oath is an oath traditionally taken by doctors swearing to ethically practice medicine. It is widely believed to have been written by Hippocrates, the father of western medicine, in the fourth century BC, or by one of his students and is usually included in the Hippocratic Corpus." (1)
With regard to confidentiality
and disclosure of patient information, the original version of the Hippocratic
Oath states,
"All that may come to my
knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which
ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal."
(2)
A modernized version of the
Hippocratic Oath states,
"What I may see or hear in
the course of treatment or even outside of the treatment in regard to the life
of men, which on no account one must spread, I will keep myself holding such
things shameful to be spoken about." (3)
On an international level, the
Hippocratic Oath has been updated by the Declaration of Geneva, which states,
"I will respect the
secrets which are confided in me." (4)
An amended version of the
Declaration of Geneva states,
"I will respect the
secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died." (5)
While doctors may wish that they could disclose certain
aspects of patient information to registered nurses, invariably, their ethical
and professional judgment about confidentiality of patient information
prevails. The use of discretion is always advisable.
At the same time, doctors may
encourage patients to disclose personal, private or sensitive information to
registered nurses, if or when it is deemed necessary or potentially beneficial
in the medical treatment or health care of the patient.
Doctors can avoid a violation
of patient's privacy regarding disclosure of personal or sensitive information, by recommending that they assume the responsibility of confiding in family
members or others, when it is deemed medically necessary, advisable and
appropriate.
Doctors have the option of
offering to discuss personal and sensitive issues with others, who should be
advised of medical issues or concerns for their own health, well being and
personal protection. When medical and health care concerns are likely to bring
harm to others, disclosure of confidential or personal information may be
deemed necessary.
The majority of registered
nurses may not be fully aware of the reality that what the doctors might like
to tell them, cannot or should not be disclosed for professional,
confidentiality or ethical reasons. Being aware of this, will make it easier
for registered nurses to deal with patients and help them to trust the judgment
of doctors, when it comes to disclosure of patient information. Being able to
trust doctors is important for registered nurses, as well as patients and their
families.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
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