SJT Topics
Confidentiality
keep patient information private (in all forms, physical, digital, verbal etc.)
patient information includes medical info and personal details
only give details to relatives with a patient’s permission
do not discuss details among other doctors where they can be overheard by others
only doctors/medical professionals who need to know should be told - not just any doctor, it should
be relevant to the patient’s care
breaking confidentiality doesn’t have to be intentional!
From GMC Good Medical Practice
This applies not just to doctors but also to medical students.
If you see confidentiality being broken it should be stopped as soon as possible - not “the next day”,
don’t delay and write an email about what you saw, speak up immediately.
1. You must keep patient or colleague (or anyone’s) information securely and in line with data
protection requirements
e.g. don’t leave files out on desk, don’t lose them, don’t take them home with you, don’t have
them on unsecure files or shared folders, don’t put on social media
2. Patient information is confidential - even after they have died - the same rules apply
any identifiable information should be treated with caution - e.g. if there is a very rare disease
with only a few people having it, if you say that your patient is a 20yr old female, yes you
removed their name but they still might be able to be identified
3. Patient confidentiality must be maintained when speaking in public, writing on social media, talking
to the press, etc. Be aware that social media posts intended as private may be seen by a wider
audience
also applies to study notes and sharing of study resources
often comes up about discussing patients in public/where you can be overheard
4. You must cooperate with formal inquiries and investigations about breaches of confidentiality, and
offer all relevant information
don’t lie and cover it up!
When does confidentiality not apply?
SJT Topics 1
, These are in the GMC Good Medical Practice but don’t come up very often:
when patient has consented
when there is a risk to society
e.g. informing DVLA if a patient has a medical condition (e.g. seizures) that can affect their
ability to safely operate a vehicle. The patient should report it themselves first, but if they
don’t, doctors have the right to break confidentiality for the safety of other road users.
patients have a right to know when confidentiality has been/will be breached
but only do this if you are sure it has been breached. E.g. if you see a file open on a desk
with information visible, put it away but don’t immediately go and tell the patient as no one
may have seen it.
if you do need to share confidential information it should be done in a private area (e.g. private
room, away from other people), and only the required information should be given
UCAT questions they could ask
classic questions - family asks for details, notes are shared among students for studying, poor
handling of patient files, doctors discussing patients and can be overheard, social media posts
loud discussions in public places
taking confidential information home
losing confidential information e.g. on the bus
being asked for information when you are unsure if you can share
Top priorities in how to respond
stop the breach/event as soon as possible
don’t draw attention to it (be discrete)
prevent future breaches
Professionalism
act competent and like you are “expected” to as a medical professional
being organised, honest, polite, following correct decorum
following professional guidelines (Good Medical Practice)
classic questions - doctors being rude to patients or colleagues, inappropriate relationships with
patients, accepting gifts from patients, lack of care in practice (not listening to patients, incorrect
notes or prescriptions, being late), doctors not speaking up when they see lack of professionalism,
SJT Topics 2
Confidentiality
keep patient information private (in all forms, physical, digital, verbal etc.)
patient information includes medical info and personal details
only give details to relatives with a patient’s permission
do not discuss details among other doctors where they can be overheard by others
only doctors/medical professionals who need to know should be told - not just any doctor, it should
be relevant to the patient’s care
breaking confidentiality doesn’t have to be intentional!
From GMC Good Medical Practice
This applies not just to doctors but also to medical students.
If you see confidentiality being broken it should be stopped as soon as possible - not “the next day”,
don’t delay and write an email about what you saw, speak up immediately.
1. You must keep patient or colleague (or anyone’s) information securely and in line with data
protection requirements
e.g. don’t leave files out on desk, don’t lose them, don’t take them home with you, don’t have
them on unsecure files or shared folders, don’t put on social media
2. Patient information is confidential - even after they have died - the same rules apply
any identifiable information should be treated with caution - e.g. if there is a very rare disease
with only a few people having it, if you say that your patient is a 20yr old female, yes you
removed their name but they still might be able to be identified
3. Patient confidentiality must be maintained when speaking in public, writing on social media, talking
to the press, etc. Be aware that social media posts intended as private may be seen by a wider
audience
also applies to study notes and sharing of study resources
often comes up about discussing patients in public/where you can be overheard
4. You must cooperate with formal inquiries and investigations about breaches of confidentiality, and
offer all relevant information
don’t lie and cover it up!
When does confidentiality not apply?
SJT Topics 1
, These are in the GMC Good Medical Practice but don’t come up very often:
when patient has consented
when there is a risk to society
e.g. informing DVLA if a patient has a medical condition (e.g. seizures) that can affect their
ability to safely operate a vehicle. The patient should report it themselves first, but if they
don’t, doctors have the right to break confidentiality for the safety of other road users.
patients have a right to know when confidentiality has been/will be breached
but only do this if you are sure it has been breached. E.g. if you see a file open on a desk
with information visible, put it away but don’t immediately go and tell the patient as no one
may have seen it.
if you do need to share confidential information it should be done in a private area (e.g. private
room, away from other people), and only the required information should be given
UCAT questions they could ask
classic questions - family asks for details, notes are shared among students for studying, poor
handling of patient files, doctors discussing patients and can be overheard, social media posts
loud discussions in public places
taking confidential information home
losing confidential information e.g. on the bus
being asked for information when you are unsure if you can share
Top priorities in how to respond
stop the breach/event as soon as possible
don’t draw attention to it (be discrete)
prevent future breaches
Professionalism
act competent and like you are “expected” to as a medical professional
being organised, honest, polite, following correct decorum
following professional guidelines (Good Medical Practice)
classic questions - doctors being rude to patients or colleagues, inappropriate relationships with
patients, accepting gifts from patients, lack of care in practice (not listening to patients, incorrect
notes or prescriptions, being late), doctors not speaking up when they see lack of professionalism,
SJT Topics 2
