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Dual role confidentiality — DOccMed MCQ

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HardOH EthicsDual role confidentialityDOccMed

A GP who provides occupational health services to a local factory discovers that one of his NHS patients also works at the factory. The patient has a condition relevant to his fitness for work but has not disclosed it to his employer. What is the most important ethical principle at stake?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — The duty to maintain separate confidentiality between the GP and OH roles, ensuring information from the GP consultation is not used in the OH assessment without explicit consent

When a GP also provides OH services, maintaining strict separation between the two roles is essential. Information from the GP consultation must not be used in the OH role without the patient's explicit informed consent. This represents a potential conflict of interest.

Reference: GMC Confidentiality; FOM Ethics; BMA Dual Roles