Ethical, juridical and historical aspects of medical confidentiality

Abstract

One of the most traditional principles of medical ethics is Medical Confidentiality, which has its

important goal to protect the patient’s interest in the framework of the doctor-patient relationship.

According to this principle, the information that doctors learn about their patients in the

course of their professional practice should not be disclosed to others. Good medical practice

depends upon patients being able to discuss openly with the doctor the aspects of their

health on the understanding that such details will be kept secret. It follows that any disclosure

contrary to the individual’s interest is also potentially detrimental to the public interest since

it may discourage confiding in the future. In the absence of guarantees that their secrets will

be protected, patients may withhold important information about their health care and also

about the wellbeing of others etc.

The paper also discusses the different ethical aspects of medical confidentiality, circumstances

which permit disclosure, models of truth telling, historical and juridical aspects of medical

confidentiality in general and in Albania.