Confidentiality, privacy and security of patient’s information are mostly used interchangeably. Confidentiality is professional’s obligations to have access to records of the patients as defined in Professionals Association Code of Ethics (Apari & Johnson, 2010) . Professionals should advocate, uphold, and defend the rights of their client’s privacy and confidentiality doctrine in the application and disclosure of information. Constitutionally, confidentiality is recognized as a communication privilege between two parties in a relationship which is professional such as patient and physician.
Privacy is the right of an individual to be left alone and allowed to make decisions on how their information is to be shared. Court decisions have recognized the right to privacy with the aim of honoring patient’s healthcare decisions and information about their health. For example, establishment of national standards for privacy protection of health information and helped define protected health information. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act provides for balance permitting crucial information use and protecting the privacy of patients who are seeking medical treatments ( Agaku et al., 2014) .
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Security refers to direct protection especially the ways used to safeguard health information privacy support in keeping confidential information in a professional manner. Technological advancement has led to electronic health record systems and increased health data transmission to pay the bills and this necessitates the need for guidelines to regulate electronic health information. Anyone who breaches this right to privacy faces the risk of punishment by the law as stipulated in HIPAA and Security Rule after the bill of HITECH Act was passed into law ( Agaku et al., 2014) . Health information workers such as health informatics, clinicians, and researchers should be responsible in respecting the information from the patients. The only situation when a patient’s information can be disclosed is those that involve public health or crime. There is a big challenge in balancing between confidentiality, security and privacy in upholding health information. Patient confidentiality and privacy are critical as it helps a patient retain their self-esteem in the community. It is apparent that some medical conditions are associated with stigmatization, therefore if the privacy and confidentially of patient information is leaked, the patient is likely o face rejection and stigmatization in their community. Furthermore, prioritizing patient privacy and confidentiality is a sign of professionalism as far as carriers are concerned.
References
Agaku, I. T., Adisa, A. O., Ayo-Yusuf, O. A., & Connolly, G. N. (2014). Concern about security and privacy, and perceived control over collection and use of health information are related to withholding of health information from healthcare providers. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association , 21 (2), 374-378. doi:10.1136/amiajnl-2013-002079
Appari, A., & Johnson, M. E. (2010). Information security and privacy in healthcare: current state of research. International Journal of Internet and Enterprise Management , 6 (4), 279. doi:10.1504/ijiem.2010.035624
