In which one of the following situations is disclosure of confidential patient information WITHOUT the patient's consent legally and ethically permissible?

• A The patient's employer telephones seeking details of a diagnosed psychiatric illness
• B An insurance company asks for the diagnosis to settle a policy claim
• C A court directs the doctor to produce the case record and testify ✓
• D A health journalist requests confirmation of a ministerial admission

Explanation

Professional secrecy yields to the requirements of law: a specific judicial direction compels disclosure, and refusal invites proceedings for contempt. Disclosure is also justified for statutorily notifiable diseases and to protect identifiable third parties from serious risk. An employer, insurer or journalist holds no entitlement to confidential information; each requires the patient's written authorisation, and casual confirmation to media is a clear breach of the Regulations.

Reference: Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, Clause 2.2 ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.