Gupta S, Bhardwaj D N, Dogra T D
Department of Forensic Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi.
Indian J Med Sci. 1999 Oct;53(10):429-33.
Since the legal consequences taking in consideration of Indian evidence Act 1857 of an unwarranted release of confidential information are uncertain and even the consequences may be serious, it is necessary that a physician be most cautious when divulging any information about a patient. Although there are exceptions to the proposition that all confidential information acquired from a patient should be kept secret, the basic rule to remember is that confidential information should not be revealed without obtaining the patient's consent unless law of the land like provision in criminal procedure code of India requires the physician to report the information, to any person or insurance company. Whenever a physician believes it is necessary to reveal a professional secret to protect the welfare of a patient, a third person, or the community, he should exercise caution in the method of disclosure. The following suggestions have been made to guide physicians under these circumstances: 1. Assure yourself that the person informed is sometime entitled to the information, such as the patient's parent or guardian. 2. Do not give information by telephone if you do not recognize the voice of the person making the request. 3. Avoid the use of telegrams or letters to communicate medical information of patient. 4. If you are in doubt about your right to release the information consult your legal council. 5. A person in police custody as an undertrial prisoner has the right not to permit the doctor who has examined him, to disclose the nature of his illness to any person. If a person is convicted, he has no right and the doctor can disclose the result to the authorities. 6. Never release the treatment history without written consent from patient or its legal heirs to any insurance company.
鉴于根据1857年《印度证据法》，不当泄露机密信息的法律后果尚不确定，甚至可能很严重，因此医生在透露任何有关患者的信息时必须格外谨慎。尽管从患者那里获得的所有机密信息都应保密这一主张存在例外情况，但要记住的基本规则是，未经患者同意，不得泄露机密信息，除非印度《刑事诉讼法》等国内法律要求医生向任何人或保险公司报告该信息。每当医生认为有必要透露专业秘密以保护患者、第三方或社区的福利时，他都应谨慎选择披露方式。针对这种情况，已提出以下建议以指导医生：1. 确保你告知信息的人在某些时候有权获取该信息，例如患者的父母或监护人。2. 如果你不认识提出请求的人的声音，不要通过电话提供信息。3. 避免使用电报或信件传达患者的医疗信息。4. 如果你对自己披露信息的权利存在疑问，请咨询你的法律顾问。5. 被警方拘留的候审囚犯有权不让为其检查的医生向任何人透露其病情的性质。如果一个人被定罪，他就没有这个权利，医生可以向当局披露检查结果。6. 未经患者或其法定继承人的书面同意，切勿向任何保险公司透露治疗史。
