A* - DESCRIBE THE TENSION BETWEEN MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY AND THE NEED TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION
HSC professionals are often looking after vulnerable people, which means that they are likely to be in difficult situations - sometimes, service users might confide in practitioners, which means they are now in an ETHICAL DILEMMA.
HSC professionals are often looking after vulnerable people, which means that they are likely to be in difficult situations - sometimes, service users might confide in practitioners, which means they are now in an ETHICAL DILEMMA.
It is known as a DILEMMA, because professionals have to make a choice -do they disclose information, OR keep it confidential?
It is known as a DILEMMA, because professionals have to make a choice -do they disclose information, OR keep it confidential?
There are three aspects to consider when making a decision about disclosure:
There are three aspects to consider when making a decision about disclosure:
- Duty of care
- Consent
- Need to know
- DUTY OF CARE:
Practitioners have a DUTY OF CARE, which means that they need to consider the wellbeing of their service users (and people around them) first. As part of this, professionals must:
Practitioners have a DUTY OF CARE, which means that they need to consider the wellbeing of their service users (and people around them) first. As part of this, professionals must:
- Act in the service user's best interests
- Ensure the safety of individuals
- Take action to prevent/ reduce harm
- Only do things that they are ABLE TO
An ethical dilemma might occur when duty of care clashes with the service user's right to confidentiality - people do not often understand the professional's duty of care
An ethical dilemma might occur when duty of care clashes with the service user's right to confidentiality - people do not often understand the professional's duty of care
2. CONSENT:
2. CONSENT:
This is an informed agreement is regards to an action/ decision - to make an INFORMED agreement/ decision, service users must be given all the information.
This is an informed agreement is regards to an action/ decision - to make an INFORMED agreement/ decision, service users must be given all the information.
They must also be given information around the implications of giving/ withholding consent:
They must also be given information around the implications of giving/ withholding consent:
- if they GIVE consent, it means other professionals/ organisations might be in contact with them
- if they WITHHOLD consent, the practitioner must consider if it is necessary to disclose information to safeguard the person - if they do so, they must follow the agreed ways of working
3. NEED TO KNOW
3. NEED TO KNOW
- As you know, information should only be given on a NEED TO KNOW basis - professionals should only share information if they feel that there is a NEED to share it.
- When they do share/ disclose information, they should only share this to the APPROPRIATE PERSON, for example, their manager or the Safeguarding Lead
- The professional should only share MINIMUM information
You might find it useful to use the below case study:
You might find it useful to use the below case study:
Aaron is a staff nurse and arrives for his 7.30am shift. He, along with his student nurse, listens to the bedside handover given by a member of staff. They read the documentation given by Gemma, who was looking after a patient, John.
Aaron is a staff nurse and arrives for his 7.30am shift. He, along with his student nurse, listens to the bedside handover given by a member of staff. They read the documentation given by Gemma, who was looking after a patient, John.
John who is 46 years old has learning disabilities, and is in hospital recovering from an operation. His brother is his main carer, and comes to the ward to assist with personal care and discusses his care with the medical team.
John who is 46 years old has learning disabilities, and is in hospital recovering from an operation. His brother is his main carer, and comes to the ward to assist with personal care and discusses his care with the medical team.
During Aaron's shift, he observes that John has developed a rash that may be infectious. John says they are not allowed to tell anyone, as he does not want any other hospital staff or his brother to know.
During Aaron's shift, he observes that John has developed a rash that may be infectious. John says they are not allowed to tell anyone, as he does not want any other hospital staff or his brother to know.
Think about:
Think about:
- Why doesn't John want anyone to know about his medical condition?
- What are John's rights?
- What action should Aaron take? Justify!
