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Confidentiality Waivers Prohibited

Meaning

Confidentiality Waivers Prohibited refers to a strict ethical and legal constraint preventing healthcare providers or research entities from requiring patients to sign away their right to privacy as a condition of receiving care or participating in a study. Such waivers are deemed unenforceable because they fundamentally undermine the patient’s right to control their sensitive health information. This prohibition reinforces the core fiduciary duty of the clinician to protect patient data above all commercial or institutional interests. It ensures that the power dynamic remains balanced, prioritizing patient autonomy and trust in the therapeutic relationship.