GMC Outcomes for Graduates Confidentiality Tomorrows Doctors

Your duty of confidentiality continues after a patient has died

If the patient had asked for information to remain confidential, you should
usually respect their wishes
When you are considering requests for information, take into account whether
the disclosure of information is likely to cause distress to or be of benefit to, the
patients partner or family
Circumstances in which you should disclose relevant information about a patient
who had died: to help a coroner with an inquest, when partner asks for
information about the circumstances of an adults death, and you have no
reason to believe that the patient would have objected to such disclosure
Archived records relating to deceased patients remain subject to a duty of confidentiality,
although the potential for disclosing information about, or causing distress to, surviving
relatives will diminish over time.

GMC Outcomes for Graduates The doctor as a professional Tomorrows Doctors

Make the care of the patient the first concern, recognise the principles of
patient-centred care, including self-care, and deal with patients healthcare
needs in consultation with them, and, where appropriate, their relatives or
carers.
Be polite, considerate, trustworthy and honest, act with integrity, maintain
confidentiality, respect patients dignity and privacy, and understand the importance of
appropriate consent.
Respect all patients regardless of their age, colour, culture, disability, ethnic or
national origin, gender, marital or parental status, race, religion or beliefs, sex,
sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Graduates will respect patients
right to hold religious or other beliefs, and take these into account when
relevant to treatment options.
Recognise the rights and equal value of all people and how opportunities for some people
may be restricted by others perceptions.

Reflect, learn and teach others

Ensure that patients receive the highest level of professional care.
Continuing professional development, including a professional development portfolio
containing reflections, achievements and learning needs.
Recognise own personal and professional limits and seek help from colleagues and
supervisors when necessary.

Learn and work effectively within a multi-professional team

Understand and respect role and expertise of health and social care professional in multi-
professional team.
Effective interdisciplinary teamworking to ensure delivery of safe and high-quality care.
Work with colleagues in ways that best serve the interests of patients
Build team capacity and positive working relationships. Undertake roles including
leadership and the ability to accept leadership by others.

Protect patients and improve care

Place patients needs and safety at the centre of the care process.
Deal effectively with uncertainty and change.
Understand how errors can happen in practice
Demonstrate awareness of the role of doctors as managers, including seeking
ways to continually improve the use and prioritisation of resources.
Recognise own personal health needs.

Achieving good medical practice: guidance for medical students

You must:
Raise any concerns you have about patient safety, dignity or comfort promptly
Follow your medical schools policy on raising concerns, wherever possible.

Developing a partnership with patients. Therefore, you must:

Be polite and considerate at all times
Listen and respond to patients views and concerns
Respect patients dignity, confidentiality and privacy
 Treat patients fairly and with respect, no matter what your own thoughts are about their life
choices or beliefs
Be clear with patients about the role youll take in their care