[eeyorestail]

Has your t or pdoc (or their staff) ever violated your privacy by sharing information with an unauthorized third party?

The reason I ask is I unfortunately witnessed the receptionist at my pdoc's practice tell another client's personal info to someone else in clear violation of both ethics and HIPAA.

This receptionist has been with the office for years and is not young and so I doubt it is a case of her not understanding privacy laws.

I told my pdoc about it and got sort of a mixed reaction. At first she seemed to take it very seriously. Then she sort of brushed it off a bit until I specifically said, "Wouldn't the client have had to sign a release for that?" Then she admitted that yes, that was the case.

I guess I'm just wondering how often this happens.

[growlycat]

T's wife lost my check once and T was embarrassed about it. Recently, his laptop was stolen and he didn't say if my info was protected or not. But nothing violated intentionally.

[PinkFlamingo99]

When I was in the hospital (psychiatry) they called my mother without my permission(listed as emergency contact).

No, I've never had any problems with that. They are all very careful to follow privacy laws.

[stopdog]

I don't see any mds and the therapist does not have any staff - which I made sure of on purpose. In my professional world - I have seen it happen more than one would think.

[precaryous]

One of T's staff called out the reception window to a patient who was just leaving...and called the patient by name...regarding an appointment. Anyone in the waiting room could hear the exchange.

A previous psychiatrist violated ethics all over the place...dictating patient records in front of me...etc...many, many years ago.

So, yes, I have seen this several times.

My ex therapist randomly let his wife check his voicemail. I'm pretty sure I never signed a release for that. And once he told me the issues of the client who saw him before me. Maybe she told him it was okay, but I was really uncomfortable with it because I actually saw her. It's one thing to tell an anecdotal story about another client, but quite another to actually see that client. Weirdness.

My T violated my privacy with a neighbor I was having issues with. There was a dispute over property lines and I was taken advantage of. I made the mistake of saying my neighbor was pretty and my T must have jumped on the phone immediately to call her. He came up with some story to convince (really manipulate) her into seeing him as his client. He then asked me to change my appointment to accommodate this neighbor (can you imagine the gall of this guy?). Then he proceeded to give the neighbor an account of my weekly sessions. My most private thoughts that I had never told ANYONE. I did not know he was seeing the neighbor until it was far too late, over 2 years. He tells my neighbor and she loved every word of it because she had new gossip for everyone in the neighborhood. We were a close knit group until my T decided to exploit me to impress a pretty girl. I am livid, heartbroken and it has made me sick.

Lesson: Never refer your T to anyone close to you. They can't keep a secret. Never give the real names of people you are having trouble with. Make up their names if you have to. Never let them get to close to you. I was totally duped for a loooong time. It has been the worst thing that has happened to me in my life.

[divine1966]

I don't understand how can t call some random people and convince them to see him as therapist? How did he get the number? Did you file a complaint?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Partless]

My GP's receptionist did that couple times about me. I don't know why some receptionists think just cause they're not doctors the privacy stuff does not apply to them. I let it go the first time, but second time mentioned it to my GP. Several weeks later that person was not working there anymore. I hope they did not get fired, I just wanted them to know to respect privacy and confidentiality but as my dad had said at the time, maybe others had also complained about this person and that's why they got fired. It made sense, given that she talked about those things sometimes with people in the waiting room (that's how I heard it).

[anilam]

Yeah, when I was hospitalized after SUI attempt my pdoc told my parents I was abused by my grandfather. I told her specifically I don't want my parents to know, grandfather was still alive at that time... I was an adult, 19yr but still. She had no right to tell them. Took me years to trust my current T. :/

[stopchewinggum]

I had a huge problem with psychiatrist doing this all the time during hospitalizations. He would do his visits in the cafeteria or in the hallway maybe a few feet away from the day room. Everybody knew everything about everyone. I didn't necessarily mind them giving vague updates to my mom, but they gave her very specific details. Plus, back when I had medicaid they double billed it. I called medicaid and they were furious. Looking back on it, I should have sued that psychiatrist.

I had another psychiatrist specifically tell my mom details of traumatic things and literally everything I told her during a consult.

[eeyorestail]

Thanks for the responses so far you guys. I have to say I'm shocked and appalled by what some of your providers (and their staff) have done! Hugs for all of you.

I think in the case of what I saw I was especially concerned because it could have placed the client in danger. The receptionist told a self-identified "friend" of client X when her next appointment was, 1. illegally confirming that client X was in fact receiving therapy at that office and 2. letting this man know where to find client X when. When I told my pdoc she was at first concerned, but then brushed it off saying maybe the receptionist knew this man was in fact a friend. That's when I asked about the release--it doesn't matter if the man was in fact a friend, it's still a violation. I mean, what if it were a boyfriend who had become an (angry and violent) ex-boyfriend?

I wish I could be sure something like this won't happen again. It's not that I want the receptionist to be fired or disciplined or whatever; I just want to make sure the office staff is all on the same (right) page regarding privacy. I know I have no right to know about the internal practices of my pdoc's office, but do you think it would be okay to ask her next time if the situation was handled somehow?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I walked into T's reception area one day to see a new 'friend' I had known for a few months training to be the new receptionist. I asked immediately if she would have access to my files. Apparently she didn't work out! But I think violations occur a lot with receptionists + that type of support staff including billing. Receptionist was attempting to enter a code into the computer just the other day. Having prroblems so another lady came to help. She said something like oh there's the problem..it wasn't Joe's regular session, it was a hospital visit after his suicide attempt so this is the code. They didn't realize there was a lobby full of people. I call it to the powers that be attention whenever or wherever it happens. Briefly had a T who made me wait a long time the first few appointments. Then asked why I was so nrevous before an appointment? I gave her this funny look. She told me they had cameras filming clients in the lobby.

[NowhereUSA]

Are you sure it was in violation and that this person wasn't listed or had authorization? I don't know how you would know for sure they didn't have authorization?

[stopdog]

What I find interesting is that fewer of my criminal clients point to abuse than my involuntary psych clients. And I have personally witnessed more One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest treatment of my involuntary alleged incapacitated clients than I have Cool Hand Luke or Brubecker with my criminal defense clients. I have had isolated cases of gross prisoner mistreatment and 1983 lawsuits, but I can say I have witnessed constant steady abuse, humiliation and dehumanization of my involuntary psych clients.

[eeyorestail]

Originally Posted by NowhereUSA

Are you sure it was in violation and that this person wasn't listed or had authorization? I don't know how you would know for sure they didn't have authorization?

The man just walked in off the street and said "I'm a friend of X and I'm trying to help her out. When is her next therapy appointment?" Didn't give a name or anything, and the receptionist just told him and that was that. I guess if the receptionist recognized him and knew he had authorization then it wasn't a violation. I just sort of figured that the process would involve asking his name or looking in a file for a release or something. I guess it's possible that he has authorization and the receptionist knew because he comes in every week asking for this woman's appointment time. It just seemed weird.

What bothered me about my pdoc's reaction was that she seemed to think it was ok as long as the receptionist "knew he was a friend," not "knew he was a friend with an authorization." When I brought up the issue of a release she acted as if I had caught her in a mistake--not "that's what I meant" but "well, yes, you're right."