RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Practical responses to confidentiality dilemmas in elite sport medicine
JF British Journal of Sports Medicine
JO Br J Sports Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
SP 1410
OP 1413
DO 10.1136/bjsports-2013-092458
VO 48
IS 19
A1 Dominic Malcolm
A1 Andrea Scott
YR 2014
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/19/1410.abstract
AB Aim To examine the ethical challenges of upholding patient confidentiality in sports medicine and the practical responses of clinicians to these challenges. Method Questionnaire survey and follow-up semi-structured interviews with the members of the British Olympic Association's Medical Committee and Physiotherapy Forum. Results Clinicians identified three contextual factors that influenced issues related to patient confidentiality in sports medicine: the use of confidentiality waivers; the facilities available for treatment; and the cultural norms of elite sport. They further identified interpersonal strategies used to lessen or eradicate conflicts, including emphasising the benefits and avoidance of disbenefits for athletes and the potential negative consequences for others. Conclusions Aspects of clinicians’ practice environment should be designed to enable compliance with the highest levels of ethical conduct. Professional associations should establish guidelines for clinicians’ interpersonal conduct in dealing with confidentiality issues and consider their provision of ethics-based continuous professional development. They should also petition for the establishment of athletes’ codes of conduct which identify a context-relevant understanding of ‘serious harm’ and how that might impact on information disclosure.