GPs warned about disclosing unrelated medical conditions
By Neil Durham, 29 October 2009
GPs must be wary of the potential pitfall of disclosing unrelated medical conditions when providing patient referrals, according to the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
GPs should exercise care in disclosing past history.
The issue was highlighted in a recent call to the UK-wide MDDUS advice line when a patient had attended a member's practice seeking a referral for elective surgery.
The GP wrote the letter and forwarded medical details to the specialist but disclosed a history of a sensitive and unrelated medical condition, causing the patient to complain.
Dr Gail Gilmartin, a senior medico-legal adviser at the MDDUS, said: ‘In providing patient referrals doctors should include personal information relevant to the medical condition being treated and exercise care in disclosing past history.
‘Be aware that inadvertent inclusion of personal details is a greater risk today with most patient information now being held in easily transmissible electronic form. Particular attention should be paid to information the patient is likely to object to being disclosed.'
Quick links
Additional Information
Latest jobs Jobs web feed
- Salaried GP The Practice plc £75-85k FTE +NHS pension, Ely or Leicester
- Regional Clinical Leads The Practice plc Salary £95-105k FTE + NHS pension, Leicester or Sheffield
- Salaried/Lead GPs Malling Health Competitive, role dependant, NHS Pension and defence fees reimbursed, Nationwide
- General Practitioner - GP - LOCUM OOH Borne Medical £75.00 - £80.00, Swindon
- GP Locum - Essex - £600.00 per day - Maternity Cover - immediate Start - 6 months Agenda Medical Locums £600.00 per Day, Braintree
- Salaried GP, Leeds, Full time One Medicare Up to £78,000 per annum, NHS Pension and Medical Indemnity, Leeds
Most read
Most commented
MIMS Drug Search
Possible searches include drugs (by brand, generic ingredient or drug class), diseases and more.
