Question

Which of the definitions below best describes the concept of confidentiality?

a. the right of individuals to control access to their personal health information
b. the protection of healthcare information from damage, loss, and unauthorized alteration
c. the expectation that personal information shared by an individual with a healthcare provider during the course of care will be used only for its intended purpose
d. the expectation that only individuals with the appropriate authority will be allowed to access healthcare information

Answer 1

Confidentiality in healthcare means personal health information shared with a provider is used solely for its intended purpose, aligning closely with the ethical and legal standards set by HIPAA.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concept of confidentiality is best defined as the expectation that personal information shared by an individual with a healthcare provider during the course of care will be used only for its intended purpose. This definition encompasses the legal and ethical obligations healthcare providers and related entities have to protect patient information from unauthorized access and disclosure, in compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Although all options provided contribute to the overarching doctrine of confidentiality, the closest to a comprehensive definition is option C, which explicitly refers to the ethical expectation that personal health information shared for care purposes is safeguarded and used as per the intent of the patient-provider interaction.