The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has clearly indicated the

importance of maintaining privacy for patients seeking healthcare, especially adolescents, most
critically if it concerns sensitive diagnosis, such as sexually transmitted infections. On the other
hand, the material authored by Pathak and Chou (2019) outlined a discussion about the legal and
ethical aspects surrounding the concept of adolescent confidentiality in healthcare.

It is important for healthcare professionals to observe proper consideration and comply

with the confidentiality request by Michael. The former should always adhere to their designated
legal obligation and ethical considerations by respecting the wishes of their patient to remain his
diagnosis confidential even to his family member, especially her mother, as he is protected by his
autonomy as a well-informed and very much capable minor.

In summation, it is shown that doctors and nurses, among others in the healthcare
profession, should remember that doctors and nurses are bound to have create an effective and
open communication with patients, in this case, Michael, the cruciality of the concept of privacy
in the healthcare industry, and for them to carefully and effectively explain to the patient that
such request for the confidentiality of his recent STI diagnosis is protected by ethical
considerations in the healthcare industry and by certain laws that safeguards the patients. In
addition, this kind of practice towards medical treatment and diagnosis of an adolescent patient
clearly aligns with the concepts of confidentiality that makes it important to healthcare
professionals to ensure that the patient’s well-being is prioritized while making sure that his
recent diagnosis be kept as confidential.