[herethennow]

I'm not too sure where should I post this, so I'm sorry >__<.

Anyway, I guess I just needed to vent.

Right now I'm like this caretaker for a friend of mine, and I'm the person the doctors go to should they need any background information. I really don't mind this at all because I do want to help with my friend's situation.

Just a digression, but because this annoying country is rather small.. everyone's medical records are electronic. It can be assessed from a different hospital.

Anyway, during one of the phone calls with his doc, his doc revealed to me that "he has searched for my medical records" and that he knows that I'm seeing a pdoc. This made me angry because this is in NO WAY related to my friend's case. They got my identification as I had visited my friend in the hospital (it is compulsory here). I can't believe they went through the visitors log and searched for my identification to do such a thing!!

I asked my doc whether this was right and he said no. I've made a complaint about this but I'm not too sure whether I really did the right thing. I know maybe they're just researching on who my friend is friends with but.. I feel like my privacy is invaded.

What do you guys think? Should a complaint be made?

[ToeJam]

Just to clarify:

You mentioned that you are 'caretaker for a friend of mine' - does this mean that you are acting in part as a guardian?

If this is the case then the check may be valid for the purpose of ensuring that your friend is being cared for adequately.

That is in no means a critical attack on you by me... I'm just suggesting that the Dr is investigating the background of those entrusted to care for your friend.

[Rohag]

In general it is commendable your friend's doctors would want to ensure he is in good hands (if that is genuinely their motive), but it is scary they could get your medical records without your consent.

I don't know the legal/constitutional environment in which you live, so I don't know what to suggest - complaint or simple inquiry/clarification.

I personally would be a bit shaken after that phone call.

[Clara22]

WoW, I do not think that checking the background of the caretaker of a patient is the role of a doctor at all. It could be of a social worker, or a judicial officer, if we are talking about guardianship, etc. If the doctor has significant doubts about the mental health, criminal background, or any other thing of a caretaker it is not his/her business to investigate the caretaker. I think there may be a protocol o procedure (or a customary rule) for this type of case. It is the same in education and normally, in all countries you have that. On the other hand, I think this person did not follow his/her professional code of conduct. I do not want to trigger you to do anything, but if you happen to have a friend that is a lawyer, ask him/her about this case. In some cultures doctors believe they are above the rest of the human beings, and sometimes they assume police role.
I am in touch with psychiatry users and survivors that know a lot about discrimination and so on, I can ask them, if you want. You do not need to disclose your country.
OK, hope you are well. I would like to write a bad word about that doctor, but it is not permitted here. Sorry guys, it is upsetting what happened to Herethennnow

[wife22]

i do not know your country's legal situation,but in US i can not disclose any information to 3rd party without Patient's consent,unless it is a police or court order,I can not disclose even to a spouse without the other ones consent ,given they have ability to make decisions.But ,again I am talking about US

[Lamia_13]

You did the right thing filing a complaint. Ethically it was wrong for anyone to search into your private info and "share."

[herethennow]

Not like acting in part of a guardian? But more of he relies on me more than his family, so I know more than the family. So that's why I'm more of the person to go to...

I do understand the reason why they checked up my records. I really do. But seriously, they could have just asked me upfront? Rather than sneakily search it? :/ I was fuming mad then..

My pdoc said the same thing as well; he said that they have no business looking at it. Here, it is actually illegal to do so when it is not necessary. Others' medical records can only be accessed on a need-to-know basis. And seriously, my point of view here is that it's really not necessary. :/ I'm not influencing my friend in any way, and my illness is not influenced by others... (I don't really talk to friends about my illness, only do that to pdoc and T)

I know a complaint would be a good decision, but somehow I'm doubting the decision I made guess it's the depression talking.

[Clara22]

Sometimes it is just we have too much in our plate. A friend of mine says we have to pick the fights we want to fight. :-)

[dumburn]

An official complaint is the right thing to do and I suspect given that all our records are on this super database now, there should be a record of who accessed them and when and hopfully WHY. This guy has broken the data protection laws for starters, not to mention your nhs trusts own policys.