Ethics Opinions

Physicians have an ethical obligation to preserve the confidentiality of information gathered in association with the care of the patient. With rare exceptions, patients are entitled to decide whether and to whom their personal health information is disclosed.

In general, patients are entitled to the same respect for the confidentiality of their personal information after death as they were in life, with a few exceptions. Physicians have a corresponding obligation to protect patient information, including information obtained postmortem.

Physicians may obtain personal information about patients outside an ongoing patient-physician relationship. When conducting third-party assessments or treating work-related medical conditions, physicians have a responsibility to protect the confidentiality of patient information.

Information gathered and recorded in association with the care of a patient is confidential. Disclosing information to third parties for commercial purposes without consent undermines trust, violates principles of informed consent and confidentiality, and may harm the integrity of the patient-physician relationship.