GPs face particular challenges in relation to confidentiality for a variety of reasons. Information about one patient may be relevant to another family member who is also the GP's patient. GPs provide continuity of care for their patients not only over time but also across multiple illnesses, minor and major. They are more likely to be aware of the social dimension of their patients' lives, for example, to know if their patient with epilepsy is driving. The GP patient record is displayed on the computer screen during a patient consultation and is visible to anyone who has accompanied the patient without the patient necessarily realizing it. These and other examples illustrate why GPs need to be aware of the ethical and legal requirements governing patient confidentiality and its implications for their work in day-to-day practice. This article describes the ethical and legal framework within which health care professionals discharge their duty of confidentiality and looks at recent General Medical Council (GMC) guidance and its practical implications.
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