WBR1023
| Author | [[PageAuthor::Vidit Bhargava, M.B.B.S [1]]] |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | ExamType::USMLE Step 1 |
| Main Category | MainCategory::Ethics |
| Sub Category | |
| Prompt | [[Prompt::The patient has an absolute right to his privacy. It’s a physician’s duty to respect
this privacy and not share it with anyone, whether it be patients family, colleagues or some random person. In which of the following conditions does this not hold true?]] |
| Answer A | [[AnswerA::Spouse of a cancer patient is extremely worried about his health and wants to
know about the illness, so that she can support him emotionally.]] |
| Answer A Explanation | AnswerAExp::Unless the patient specifically permits sharing his medical information, it cannot be shared even with his wife. |
| Answer B | [[AnswerB::An employee has been absent from work for about 2 weeks and the employer
calls the physician threatening him that his patient might lose the job, unless he is told about the specific nature of the illness.]] |
| Answer B Explanation | AnswerBExp::The situation demands a valid written consent from patient, which must be calmly explained to the employer. |
| Answer C | AnswerC::A colleague asks about his son, who tested positive for syphilis. |
| Answer C Explanation | AnswerCExp::Even sharing medical knowledge with a fellow physician is not permitted by privacy laws. |
| Answer D | [[AnswerD::State police wants to gather a person’s medical records, who is convicted of
rape.]] |
| Answer D Explanation | AnswerDExp::Police needs a valid warrant to be given any patient information. |
| Answer E | AnswerE::A 16 year old boy demanding to withhold his syphilis positive test from his parents. |
| Answer E Explanation | AnswerEExp::The boy can withhold this information from his parents but not his sexual partners. |
| Right Answer | RightAnswer::D |
| Explanation | [[Explanation::There are certain circumstances in which a physician can disclose patient information:
Educational objective: Even police cannot be divulged medical information without a valid warrant. |
| Approved | Approved::Yes |
| Keyword | |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |