What principle in medical ethics protects patient information from disclosure to third parties except under allowed circumstances?

• A. Active listening
• B. Barrier
• C. Confidentiality
• D. Biases

Answer: (C)

Confidentiality is the principle that patient information is kept private and shared only with those who need to know for treatment, payment, or health care operations, and only with the patient’s consent or as allowed by law. This protection builds trust so patients feel safe to disclose sensitive details, knowing their information won’t be disclosed unnecessarily. In real practice, providers guard records, discuss private matters in appropriate settings, and share information only with other clinicians involved in care or as required by legal obligations (such as mandatory reporting rules). The other terms describe different ideas: active listening is about how you listen and respond, a barrier is something that blocks communication, and biases are preconceptions that can affect judgments.