To what extent is it legal or socially appropriate to ask about your doctor's health?

Just got an email from a friend who said her psychiatrist (MD) had taken eight months off unexpectedly and without prior notice, and when she had called the secretary she was told it was "health related" and now she's curious to know if when she does see the psychiatrist can she ask him about it or if it's against the law (or that it's socially inappropriate), fearing she will be told off or how it will affect their relationship.

Also everybody online had told her it's none of her business. That doctors if they're back it means they're fine.

But it got me thinking too, especially because I was once traumatized by a psychiatrist who because of previous abuse of patients had continued to practice in a limited way, though unknown to me or referring doctor. It was limited by law that only allowed this person continued visits with old patients and not taking on new ones (which is how I ended up seeing this person).

So in theory a good doctor should know and be responsible for his/her actions and how they affect the patients. But it doesn't always happen and there are news articles about them and of course I personally experienced one such person's actions at great cost.

This of course also triggers my issue with authority figures, the imbalance of power in patient/doctor relationship (one party know pretty much everything, another party doesn't; of course by design), and last but not least, need for safety and freedom from harm.

I figured I won't reply for now but I pose this here to get some perspective and views, maybe even somebody in similar situation.

A person's medical privacy is protected under federal law. She can ask, but the doctor is under no obligation to reveal his medical history.

Thank you for your reply. So it seems it's simply up to the doctor if he prefers to share or how much with the patient. I doubt this would upset the doctor to ask though, worst of it is doctor would say "it was a private health matter" signalling there won't be a reply but I doubt it will affect the relationship in a significantly negative way.

Well, his office personnel would probably fall under a degree of confidentiality as far as revealing anything specific about his medical leave. But he is free to be as specific or not as he wants to be in response to inquiries from anyone. Whether or not she should directly ask him really depends upon how she views their relationship. He doesn't owe her any explanation, but I'm sure he's thought about how he will address inquiries from clients. I don't think she need fear expressing a general concern, perhaps coupled with an expression of hope that he's feeling better. Then he can respond as he wishes. I do think she can't demand more info than he volunteers, but that would be true for any relationship.

Thank you, your view about the office personnel seems reasonable, same as your suggestions about how she should phrase her concern and the kind of response she can anticipate.