Patient-Doctor Confidentiality
Overview Definition Protected healthinformation (PHI) The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) What HIPAA is HIPAA privacy rule HIPAA Security rule Breaches of Confidentiality Limits of Confidentiality with Minors Confidentiality is broken/PHI is shared under specific circumstances outlined by HIPAA (e.g., cases of suspected abuse; threats to public health or safety). References
Decision-making Capacity and Legal Competence
Decision-making Capacity Definition Decision-making capacity is a patient’s ability to understand a proposed intervention, its benefits, risks, and alternatives, including the option of no treatment, and make autonomous decisions regarding their care. Components of medical decision-making capacity There are 4 primary components of medical capacity: Table: Determinant elements of medical decision-making capacity Component Determinant elements […]
End-of-life Issues
Overview The primary purpose of any medical intervention is to prolong life or to improve quality of life (QOL). At the end of life, preserving a patient’s QOL is more important than prolonging life. Principles of medical ethics regarding end-of-life care The key principles of medical ethics that apply to end-of-life issues include: Quality of […]