An important practice standard for all health professionals is confidentiality and disclosure.

There are,
however, situations that develop where breaking confidentiality and disclosing information about a
person is necessary. These situations are often considered grey areas within ethics and the law. Address
such situations by writing a descriptive response to the following questions. In other words, describe a
scenario where you might be compelled to report a person.

Under what circumstances might you conclude that you must report someone who has a sexually
transmitted infection?

When the person with the STI continues to engage in sexual behavior with others without full disclosure
of his health condition, posing a risk to public health by intentionally spreading the infection.

When the patient with the STI is requests their partner(s) to be informed on their behalf or are unable to
inform their partner(s) themselves due to conditions of specific incapacity.

When the legal system requires full disclosure to the patient’s partner(s).

Under what circumstances might you conclude that you must report an adult family member based on
observations made while treating a client in the home?

If the patient is at risk of causing harm to self or others.

If the caretaker encounters evidence of patient partaking in illegal activity.

If the patient has an infectious disease and neglects to take necessary precautions to prevent
transmission.

If the patient suffers from severe untreated mental health issues that interfere with personal care.

Under what circumstances might you conclude that you must report a work colleague’s health
condition?

If the coworker’s job performance is affected by impairment due to substance abuse.

Under what circumstances might you conclude that you must report a friend’s insistence on continuing
to drive?

When my friend is under the influence of substance (alcohol, weed, narcotics, etc.).

Under what circumstances might you conclude that you must report a friend’s diagnosis of a mental
illness?

If there is a risk of harm to self or others.

If there is an inability of self-care.

If the friend has dependents (children) who require proper care.