3 ms·
Same reason they can't make a spouse testify against you. The chilling effect would be problematic. (Or, if you want something more medical, why Physicians or P
by grayhatter 10y ago
Same reason they can't make a spouse testify against you. The chilling effect would be problematic. (Or, if you want something more medical, why Physicians or Psychiatrists can't be force to testify against you.)
As a former medical person, and a current tech person; I'm sitting here wondering how I could write software that would allow me to get the data to help and protect my patient's health, while still protecting/limiting the data from things/actions like this one.
When helping my patients to make the decision of whether or not to have a pacemaker installed, I don't want them worrying if it's ever going to become evidence against them at some later date.
- mywittyname 10y agoI know that spousal privilege is codified into law, which got me thinking if there are similar protections between doctors and patients (like there are with attorneys). It looks like some countries have protections between patients and doctors, but not the USA. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physician%E2%80%93patient_privilege#United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physician%E2%80%93patient_priv... I agree that this information should be protected, but it looks like we will need additional laws to grant these privileges.
- djsumdog 10y agoThere are exceptions to patient privilege. Most states have laws regarding ongoing abuse or abuse of a minor which must be reported by doctors.
- grayhatter 10y agoSure, because someone is actively being harmed, or will be harmed in the future. (and is injury that's not easily recouped, i.e. abuse of a minor could be a life long injury, where insurance fraud is build into the cost of premiums)