Confidentiality is the key concern for many young people when visiting a doctor or other health professional.

What are a young people’s rights to confidentiality and what health professional can do to reassure young people about confidentiality?

A young person can:

• See a doctor or nurse without anyone knowing about it. If you visit with a parent or care giver you can ask for you own time with the doctor.
  
• Any competent young person, regardless of age, can independently seek medical advice and give valid consent to medical treatment.
  
• Ask for their own medical file rather than have you records kept on a family file. Then another person in your family cannot view your records.
• Go to a different doctor or general practice if they don’t want to see the family doctor.
  
• Ask the doctor about confidentiality.
  
• Access contraception and abortion services even if under 16.
• Ask for sufficient time to discuss health issues. Most doctors only allow ten minutes for an appointment. If you think you need more time ask for it when making your appointment.
  
• Refuse any treatment a doctor might suggest if you don't feel comfortable with it.
  
• If paying for you own visit is a good idea to check the fees. Paying straight after the appointment is recommend as someone else might open the bill if mailed. If you cannot afford to pay, you may have the option of visiting a free community-based youth health service (LINK to list)
  
• Discuss the best way for the medical centre to contact you for follow-up, test results, etc in order to protect confidentiality
  
• The only situation where disclosure of health information is allowable is if the patient is unable to consent to medical treatment on his or her own behalf, or is a danger to themselves or others.
  

Health professionals and confidentiality:

Reassuring young people about confidentiality is an important responsibility for health professionals. Research has shown that some teens would forgo treatment if they thought their parents would find out.

Many young people are apprehensive about talking to doctors for fear that confidentiality cannot be respected. The duty of confidentiality owed to a person under 16 is as great as that owed to any other person.

Regardless of whether or not the requested treatment is given, the confidentiality of the consultation should still be respected.

The only situation where disclosure of health information is allowable is if the patient is unable to consent to medical treatment on his or her own behalf, or is a danger to themselves or others.

If for any reason confidentiality cannot be assured, doctors should explain why Young people under 16 can access contraception and abortions.

Health providers are expected to encourage the young person to talk with parent(s) or care givers. However this is optional.

Confidentiality and privacy tips:

• Confidentiality policies displayed clearly in the waiting room
  
• Confidentiality personally reiterated by health care providers in their clinical contacts
  
• Inform young people they can have their own medical file rather than have their information in a family file.
• Waiting rooms provide privacy from the public
  
• Inform young people they have the right to refuse any treatment a doctor might suggest if you don't feel comfortable with it.
  
• Consult the young person on the best way to contact them for follow-up, test results, etc in order to protect their confidentiality
  
• Reception staff are friendly but do not enquire about what the appointment was about.