What Every Nurse Wishes He/she Could Tell Doctors: Nurses Focus on Professionalism and Confidentiality

What every registered nurse wishes he or she could tell doctors, is often restricted by two, important guidelines in the medical and health care profession, namely that of professionalism and confidentiality.

What is professionalism?

Professionalism defines that which is deemed appropriate for a particular profession and maintains a degree of objectivity, on the professional level. With respect to this article, it pertains to the professionalism of registered nurses in the nurse-doctor relationship.

For example, the language used by a registered nurse should always be professional. To reduce one's vocabulary to the use of negative, derogatory language when speaking to a doctor, would be deemed as inappropriate for the high calling of a registered nurse. Perhaps it should be stated, that one can identify the degree of professionalism of a registered nurse, by his or her words, vocabulary and comments. 

Regardless of what a registered nurse wishes to tell a doctor, it should be stated on a professional level and in a professional manner, at all times.  

Professionalism also involves medical confidentiality.

What is medical confidentiality?

A registered nurse acknowledges and abides by the ethical principle of withholding patient information from others, unless the patient consents to its disclosure. This is one of the patient's legal rights. Patients frequently communicate personal information to registered nurses, confident in knowing that what they disclose to them, is held in trust by them.

Should what is being disclosed to registered nurses, be shared with doctors?

If the patient information disclosed to a registered nurse by a patient is private, intimate and personal, the registered nurse should respond in a professional manner, by suggesting to the patient, that he or she should be the one who discloses this information to the doctor. Another possible option for the registered nurse to consider is that of seeking permission from the patient to disclose the information to the doctor, on his or her behalf. Note that any consent to the release of sensitive information should be documented in the patient's records.

For example, a patient might confide personal information to a registered nurse, disclosing that he or she has been in contact with someone who has a contagious disease. While the patient discloses this information to a registered nurse, he or she may be reluctant to discuss it with his or her doctor. But because this sensitive information may involve the health and safety of the patient, his or her family and others in the community, this kind of information should be disclosed to the doctor, either by the patient or by a registered nurse, but only in a professional manner.

The registered nurse should advise the patient of the seriousness of this kind of situation and suggest that he or she discuss this matter with his or her doctor or offer to bring it to the doctor's attention, on the patient's behalf. In the meantime, appropriate precautions should be taken to protect everyone, including the patient and registered nurse, as well as others. These same guidelines apply to disclosure of information to family members or others.

Why are professionalism and confidentiality important?

To protect patients and to maintain a high level of medical and health care, both professionalism and confidentiality are vital aspects of the nurse-doctor relationship, as well as the nurse-patient relationship. A breakdown in either of these relationships can lead to a serious decline in the quality of medical and health care that patients receive.

Establishing and maintaining a good trust relationship between nurses and doctors, as well as between nurses and patients, is important. When anyone senses a breach or violation of a trust relationship, the situation can become tenuous and guarded. Tensions increase. Severing a relationship completely, may result in a scenario that cannot be resolved effectively and leave a void that cannot be filled.

In other words, patient care may suffer, if patients walk away from bad relationships, particularly when they involve a breach in professionalism and confidentiality. They may also caution others to do the same. 

Inappropriate disclosure can have serious legal ramifications for registered nurses. Lack of professionalism can result in his or her job loss, with permanent damage to the credentials of a registered nurse.

Doctors are aware that registered nurses are bound by professionalism and confidentiality; they are too. Thus, any sensitive medical or health care related information must be handled carefully, at all times. Medical records are shared by medical professionals, but only on a professional level.

What every nurse wishes he/she could tell doctors may also involve his or her personal information. Again, discretion is advised, as professionalism and confidentiality must always be maintained by registered nurses.