PHL 302 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Infection, Cultural Relativism, Ethical Egoism

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHL 302
• Professor: David Stamos

Document Summary

To get an idea of how big patient confidentiality and privacy is a problem, consder the more common problems of inadvertent talking in the elevator or cafeteria gossip most of us have been guilty of. A patient"s basic right to expect information he gives hcp to be held in condience can be arrived at and defended using any of the four systemic approaches to ethical decision making outlined in chapter 2. The real question is if confidentiality is a moral absolute or might be overridden by other considerations. Hcp later defended their decision to maintian patient confidentiality on basis that they had duty only to their patient, and in absence of duty to protect life and safety of others. Arguments used in their defense were that effective treatment required patient"s full disclosure of innermost thoughts and that, without promise of confidentiality, patients needing treatment would fail to seek care.