GPhC Guidance on Confidentiality Quiz and Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

When can a pharmacy professional disclose a person's confidential information without their consent?

When the person has a mental health condition and may not understand the implications of disclosure

When the law says they have to disclose the information, or it is in the public interest (correct)

When they have an urgent request from a colleague

When the person is unconscious and unable to provide consent

What must a pharmacy professional ensure the person in their care understands before disclosing their information?

What information will be disclosed, why, who it will be disclosed to, and the likely consequences of disclosure and non-disclosure (correct)

Only the purpose of disclosure and who the information will be disclosed to

Who the information will be disclosed to and the purpose of disclosure, but not the likely consequences

Only the likely consequences of disclosing and not disclosing the information

What is a circumstance where the law says a pharmacy professional must disclose information they hold?

When a pharmacy professional is unsure about the diagnosis of a patient

When a patient requests their own medical records

When a coroner, judge or relevant court orders that the information should be disclosed (correct)

When a patient's family member requests their confidential information

What can a pharmacy professional consider before disclosing confidential information in the public interest?

The possible harm that may be caused by not disclosing the information against the potential consequences of disclosing the information Signup and view all the answers

Who may request confidential information from a pharmacy professional under the law?

The police, healthcare regulators, NHS counter-fraud investigation officers, and coroners Signup and view all the answers

When can a pharmacy professional disclose confidential information without getting the person's consent?

When there is a risk to others, and the purpose of disclosure would be undermined if the person's consent were sought Signup and view all the answers

What is expected when one person discloses information to another?

The information will be held in confidence Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the duties of pharmacy professionals regarding confidential information?

Prevent accidental disclosure of confidential information Signup and view all the answers

When should Pharmacy Professionals disclose confidential information?

After ensuring it meets legal requirements and is appropriate Signup and view all the answers

What should pharmacy professionals do to protect confidential information?

Prevent accidental disclosure of confidential information Signup and view all the answers

In what circumstances do pharmacy professionals have a duty to maintain confidentiality?

Regardless of the source of the information Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of disclosing confidential information according to the text?

Can be complex and requires ensuring legality and appropriateness Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Duty of Confidentiality

A duty of confidentiality arises when one person discloses information to another in circumstances where it is reasonable to expect that the information will be held in confidence.
Pharmacy professionals take steps to protect the confidential information they are given either in the course of their professional practice or because they are a pharmacy professional.

Protecting Confidential Information

Pharmacy professionals must protect the confidentiality of information they receive, access, store, send, or destroy.
They must prevent accidental disclosure of confidential information.
They must ensure that everyone they work with in their pharmacy setting knows about their responsibility to maintain confidentiality.

Disclosing Confidential Information

Disclosing confidential information can be complex and pharmacy professionals do not have to disclose information immediately.
They should take the necessary steps to satisfy themselves that any disclosure being asked for is appropriate and meets the legal requirements covering confidentiality.
There are circumstances where it may be appropriate to disclose confidential information, including:
- When they have the consent of the person under their care.
- When they have to disclose by law.
- When it is in the public interest.

Pharmacy professionals should get the person's consent to share their information unless that would undermine the purpose of disclosure.
They should make sure the person in their care understands:
- What information will be disclosed.
- Why information will be disclosed.
- Who it will be disclosed to.
- The likely consequences of disclosing and of not disclosing the information.

Pharmacy professionals should make every effort to get consent.
Before disclosing information without the consent of the person receiving care, a pharmacy professional should:
- Be satisfied that the law says they have to disclose the information, or that disclosure can be justified as being in the public interest.
- If they are unsure about the basis for the request, ask for clarification from the person making the request.
- Ask for the request in writing.

Disclosures Required by Law

There are circumstances when the law says a pharmacy professional must disclose information that they hold, including:
- When a person or body is using their powers under the law to ask for the information, e.g. the police, a healthcare regulator, or an NHS counter-fraud investigation officer.
- When a coroner, judge, or relevant court orders that the information should be disclosed.

Disclosures Made in the Public Interest

A pharmacy professional may disclose confidential information when they consider it to be in the public interest to do so, e.g. if the information is required to prevent:
- A serious crime.
- Serious harm to a person receiving care or to a third party.
- Serious risk to public health.
Pharmacy professionals must consider the possible harm that may be caused by not disclosing the information against the potential consequences of disclosing the information.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the duty of confidentiality for pharmacy professionals as outlined in the GPhC In Practice guidance. Learn about the steps pharmacy professionals must take to protect confidential information.

GPhC In Practice: Guidance on Confidentiality Quiz