Is This Reasonable?

[EcclesCake]

A private clinic have called to establish a medical history for an adult family member and as the patient wasn't available I was asked the questions.

Admittedly all can be clarified/corrected at the time of the appointment but taking my perspective of the situation rather than that of the patient seems a bit odd to me!

Any thoughts?

[pixie374]

It does seem odd... not least because of confidentiality. I suppose it depends what they asked. It isn't unusual, but does seem wrong.

[murraymints]

not what I would call professional..what about patient confidentiality ???

[DTCwordfan]

Rank amateur and probably contravenes a few rules.

[rockyracoon]

It doesn't sound right to me. Unless it's a matter of life and death, surely they can wait to speak to the patient and know that they have the correct information.

[MallyJ]

I don't think I would have given any information over the phone.....it would not be my business to tell a total stranger private and personal information about anyone else unless that person was incapacitated and unable to answer personal questions him/her self. I would be miffed if someone spoke for me. But that is just me.

[EcclesCake]

Seems you all share the same reservations. Odd, very odd.

[Mamyalynne]

The only way I would see it as reasonable would be if the Patient had given permission for the clinic staff to contact them via a family member.

[anneasquith]

Did you answer the questions? If you did why ?

[EcclesCake]

I answered the objective questions, but not the subjective ones. I was put on the spot and wanted to facilitate matters. It was when I hung up it occurred to me what a breach of privacy had occurred. Most curious way of operating!

[yogi-bear]

I agree, Eccles...how very odd.
If the person was unavailable they should have arranged suitable time to call back and speak to them.....asking you to answer questions was wrong imo, simply because of the personal nature of confidentiality and what if you answer incorrectly. Only you can make an appointment at your GPs ......same should apply here.

[pixie374]

I can understand why you answered- it's natural wanting to help. I have found if you tell them you'require a carer- GPs, hospitals, psychiatrists... they will tell you anything about anybody. It used to shock me, but doesn't any more.

[pixie374]

You're.... autocorrect:-)

[CrapAtCryptics]

I would have thought they would send an authorisation to be signed so your doctor could release the record - it is unlikely most people could remember their entire medical history.

[yogi-bear]

Eccles, You didn't do anything wrong at all....you were only trying to help out" which was lovely

[EcclesCake]

Thank you Yogi.

It strikes me as a most curious form of triage, hopefully the patient will give some relevant feedback at their appointment.

[Sqad]

The family member was either a patient at the Private Clinic OR had made an appt without any medical details.
Depends what question were asked. Can you give us some idea?

[EcclesCake]

The questions were generic and clinical.

I could answer the generic the generic but not the clinical as they were too subjective and personal to the patient,

Either way, I feel it was wrong that they accepted a third party input and I was that third party :-(