Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) Process Workflow & Information Management Redesign Practice Exam

If a patient does not want their sexually transmitted disease diagnosis shared with their employer, what concept does this exemplify?

1. Informed consent

2. Disclosure

3. Confidentiality

4. Privacy

The correct answer is: Confidentiality

The situation described reflects the concept of confidentiality. Confidentiality in healthcare refers to the ethical and legal duty to protect patient information and ensure that sensitive information regarding a patient's health, including diagnoses such as sexually transmitted diseases, is kept private and not disclosed without the patient's consent. This is a fundamental principle in healthcare, as it fosters trust between patients and providers; patients are more likely to seek care and provide accurate information if they believe their information will be kept confidential. While informed consent, disclosure, and privacy are related concepts, they do not capture the essence of the situation as accurately as confidentiality does. Informed consent is about ensuring that patients understand and agree to treatments, disclosure involves sharing information, and privacy pertains to a patient's right to control their personal information. In this context, the patient's desire for their diagnosis to remain undisclosed to their employer directly illustrates the importance of maintaining confidentiality.