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Clinical Confidentiality

Meaning

Clinical Confidentiality is the ethical and legal obligation of healthcare providers to protect a patient’s private medical information, ensuring that all data shared during the clinical relationship remains shielded from unauthorized access or disclosure. This cornerstone of medical practice builds essential trust between the patient and the clinical team, encouraging the open and honest communication critical for accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment planning. Breaches of confidentiality can severely undermine the therapeutic alliance and violate fundamental patient rights, leading to significant clinical and legal repercussions.