Reference no: EM1361116

Healthcare practitioners are not only ethically/morally, but are also legally bound to ensure that patients' information like medical reports, and personal conversations are kept confidential. Conversely, doctors under oath in a court of law are also not to reveal patients' information. On the other hand, in many cases, this issue may demand a level of flexibility. For example, situations involving crimes such as gunshot wounds, practitioners are required to inform the law and the public. Moreover, in cases where a sexual transmitted disease has been discovered in a patient, the healthcare practitioner will have to reveal this information to the patient's spouse even though the patient does not want this information to be disclosed. Furthermore, issues may arise when morality prevails over rules as in a case where the paternity of a child is under question, and the physician has been informed of it by the mother, is it his duty to report it to the father, particularly if the child is suffering from a genetic condition? Analyze and discuss the pros and cons of these ethical concerns for all parties involved. Ensure that arguments and discussions are supported by examples.