We are Guardians of Patient Privacy
Confidentiality and Data Privacy – core values for healthcare professionals
Data privacy and confidentiality are related concepts but focus on different aspects of information management:
- Data Privacy refers to the rights of individuals to control how their personal information is collected, used, and shared. It encompasses laws and regulations that protect personal data and ensure that individuals can manage their own information, including consent for data collection and how it is utilised by organisations.
- Confidentiality pertains to the protection of information from unauthorised access and disclosure. It ensures that sensitive information is only accessible to and shared with those who have the proper authorisation to view it. Technical confidentiality measures include encryption, secure storage and access controls.
Confidentiality and data privacy are crucial in a hospital setting for several reasons:
- Patient Trust: Patients need to feel secure that their personal and medical information is protected. When patients know their personal and medical information is protected, they are more likely to seek care and share necessary details about their health.
- Quality of Care: Maintaining confidentiality encourages open communication between patients and healthcare providers. When patients feel safe sharing details about their health, clinicians can make informed decisions based on complete and accurate patient data.
- Reputation and Competitive Advantage: A strong focus on data privacy enhances a hospital's reputation and can be a differentiating factor in a competitive healthcare market, attracting more patients. A hospital's reputation can be significantly affected by breaches of confidentiality. Protecting patient information helps maintain Mediclinic’s credibility and public trust.
- Ethical Responsibility: Healthcare professionals have an ethical obligation to respect patient privacy. Upholding confidentiality is a fundamental principle of medical ethics and professionalism. Upholding data privacy reflects our commitment to respecting patients' rights and autonomy regarding their personal information.
- Legal Compliance: All Mediclinic facilities and employees must comply with laws and regulations, such as the laws regarding Practice of Human Medicine Profession, regarding Medical Liability, regarding Private Health Facilities and regarding Protection of Personal Data, which mandate confidentiality and the protection of patient information. Violations can lead to legal consequences, hefty fines or impacts on the licence of the facility and/or the clinician.
- Risk Management: Protecting patient data minimises the risk of data breaches, which can result in significant financial losses, legal issues, and damage to the hospital’s reputation.
Data privacy and confidentiality are part of Mediclinic’s value “Trusting and Respectful” and part of MoHaP, DHA and DOH codes of conduct for healthcare professionals. Refer to the links below.
Remember, our dedication to patient well-being extends beyond medical care; it includes safeguarding their privacy. Let us all contribute to fostering an environment where patients can trust that their information is handled with the utmost care and respect.
Thank you for your commitment to upholding the values that make Mediclinic a trusted healthcare provider.
Ministerial Resolution No. (1448) of 2017 On Adoption of Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Health Professionals (Extract)
During their professional relations with service recipients, health professionals should deal with personal or private information as confidential in accordance with the regulating legislation
1.5 Confidentiality of Service Recipients’ Information
Health professionals should comply with the following:
1.5.1 Recognize the right of service recipients to expect that health professionals would not disclose any personal and confidential information they access in the course of performing their professional duties, unless service recipients agrees to that disclosure or the health professionals have a valid and compelling reason to do so (for example, if they do not disclose such information, a potential serious harm might happen to a third party, or when there is a public health emergency or any compelling and morally justifiable legal requirement);
1.5.2 Disclose the information to service recipients’ family or any other persons if such disclosure is useful for the treatment after seeking the consent of service recipients;
1.5.3 Disclose some secrets of service recipients in case it is necessary to educate the rest of the health care team, which should be for educational purposes only. Health professionals should refrain from any disclosure that might lead to the identification or service recipients;
Click here to access the full version of the Code.
DHA Code of Conduct for Healthcare Professionals (January 2018; page 14)
DOH Healthcare Professionals Manual (November 2023; section 43)
Mediclinic Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (March 2022; pages 4 and 9)
Al Tamimi Law Update: UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention: 2017 Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Health Professionals (November 2018)