Medical confidentiality in the Armed Forces

Abstract

The doctor/patient relationship is unique. The doctor's surgery/clinic can be likened to the confessional and the duty of confidence to a patient does not end with the patient's death. It is ongoing. It is accepted that in the Armed Forces, a Commanding Officer can request disclosure of all relevant medical information by his medical officer. The medical officer in this case would need to be guided not only by military law but also by guidelines laid down by the General Medical Council (the GMC 'blue book'). Each case needs to be considered on its own merit. The Medical Defence Union is available to discuss individual cases with its members. (An MDU booklet 'Confidentiality' is available free to members. Application may be made to the Medical Defence Union, 3 Devonshire Place, London W1N 2EA.)