Question

Read the following case study. How should Pahalk respect the confidentiality and privacy of Sebastian and Patrick?

Case study 3: Patrick

Patrick is the primary carer for Sebastian, a young man who has complex care needs which are extremely time-consuming. He needs full-time supervision, medication management, and must be turned in bed several times a night. Pahalk is a support worker who initially created an individual support plan for Sebastian and now provides ongoing support to the family.

Patrick meets with Pahalk to talk about how the family is coping at present. Patrick tells Pahalk that he is finding the caring responsibilities challenging and that sometimes he gets very cross and angry. He explains that there have been times when he has left Sebastian unattended to go to the pub nearby and play the pokies. He explains that he does not gamble a lot but that it just gives him a short break and some relief from the demands of caring.

Pahalk asks what happens when he feels angry at home, and Patrick tells him that one day last week he had found himself thinking about hurting Sebastian. He did not hurt Sebastian but felt extremely ashamed of himself afterward for even considering it.

Patrick then breaks down and tells Pahalk that he is worried about whether he should continue caring for Sebastian at all.

Pahalk provides care and reassurance and asks Patrick if he thinks it is still a possibility that he might try to harm Sebastian. Patrick tells Pahalk that he is worried every day that he might do something bad to Sebastian and that he does not know what to do. He asks Pahalk to promise not to tell anyone about what he has said.

Answer 1

Pahalk should prioritize the safety and well-being of Sebastian by reporting Patrick's disclosure of potential harm, while respecting confidentiality within the bounds permitted by legal and ethical obligations.

In order to respect the confidentiality and privacy of both Sebastian and Patrick, Pahalk must prioritize Sebastian's safety and well-being. While acknowledging Patrick's trust and desire for confidentiality, Pahalk should recognize the severity of the situation where harm to Sebastian is a potential risk.

In such cases, ethical and legal obligations may require Pahalk to breach confidentiality and report the information to appropriate authorities or supervisors who can intervene and provide necessary support. Striking a balance between maintaining trust and ensuring the safety of those involved is crucial in navigating the delicate situation presented by Patrick's disclosure.