Abstract
Working as a medical practitioner requires a keen observation of ethical controversies regarding patient confidentiality as defined in the medical code of conduct and ethics. However, there are some instances when medical practitioners are faced with a dilemma of disclosing patient’s confidence data as stated in the HIPAA incidental disclosures regulation. Some instances are where there is a third party who may be affected by the consequential withholding of the patient’s private medical history especially in case of hereditary and deadly transmitted diseases.
The ethical dilemma in this case involves a patient, Mrs. Joan Smith with ovarian/breast cancer that is genetically ...