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Written by Gráinne Smith   
Friday, 02 May 2008

How can I work with families to maximise support for my patients?
How can I best support my loved one?
How to survive long term stress on a daily basis?

Confidentiality... may be an issue in many situations, most especially when the vulnerable individual is legally an adult (this varies in different areas of the world, sometimes within areas of the same country).  

Confidentiality... may become a major issue between families and professionals when information is not shared, when informal carers feel excluded and because of this feel unable to cope with difficult situations at home; or when professionals miss crucial info because they feel by doing so it may adversely affect their relationship with a patient; unable to talk to home carers and therefore miss having a clear and accurate picture of behaviour outwith the ordered ward or clinic.

Confidentiality… definitions may range from not giving information to anyone, no matter what the relationship, not talking to anyone apart from your patient and (perhaps?) one or two colleagues…to openly sharing information on a need-to-know basis…to sharing selected information to enable different people involved in different aspects of a situation to offer best support…

 
© 2008 Grainne Smith — All Rights Reserved