Confidentiality at Samarpan
04 Jan 2023
Clients and their families often share highly personal information with their care team during treatment for substance misuse and mental health disorders. The details they provide ensure they receive the best treatment possible. In addition, their experiences and beliefs can provide context for the clinical team. However, many clients are afraid to share information that will leave them feeling vulnerable, and they may worry about whether the details of their case will remain secure. Our ethical and compassionate approach to treatment at Samarpan protects our client's confidentiality and rights.
What Is Client Confidentiality?
Client confidentiality prohibits facilities and employees from sharing client information with a third party, including family or significant others. Rare exceptions may sometimes be made in cases where facilities or individuals are legally required to divulge client information or the client provides permission. According to the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, "Privacy is a key component of individual autonomy, and a voluminous literature has established both its practical value in healthcare contexts and its status as a fundamental, but not absolute ethical right."
Client confidentiality ensures the following:
- Physical or digital records remain secure and only accessible to the care team and individuals who have client approval
- The care team will not verbally share details about the client and their treatment without the client's consent
- In most instances, clients have control over who outside the care team has access to their medical records
- Unapproved third-party entities cannot access private client details
Samarpan ensures that client files remain protected and out of the hands of third-party entities that might want to exploit or misuse the information.
Confidentiality Promotes a Better Therapeutic Alliance
Clients who feel secure and comfortable being vulnerable with their care team will create a better therapeutic alliance. Treatment for substance misuse and mental health issues involves identifying underlying causes that might involve private beliefs, thoughts, and behaviours.
Clients who feel safe sharing those details will receive more nuanced and effective treatment. Keeping client information private retains their dignity and builds trust between the client and the care team. The dedicated professionals at Samarpan understand the importance of providing a nonjudgmental space where clients can express themselves without shame, embarrassment, or the fear of others finding out about their private thoughts.
How Does Samarpan Protect Client Confidentiality?
Samarpan keeps client records and information safe by doing the following:
- Enforcing strict client confidentiality policies and procedures
- Keeping physical and digital records safely protected
- Using secure file-sharing processes and software
- Monitoring and managing potential security threats
- Regularly training and educating the care team and support staff on privacy expectations and laws
Clients should feel able to freely express themselves and share details of their medical history with the care team. The mental health professionals at our facility have years of training and education on the importance of trust and reliability in the client-provider relationship.
Who Can Access Client Information?
The privacy policies at Samarpan prohibit anyone with knowledge of the client from sharing personal information with third parties, including:
- Family
- Friends
- Social groups
- Online connections
- Co-workers or other mental health professionals with no connection to the client
- Outside organizations or companies
The only people who should have access to confidential client information include:
- Members of the care team working with the client
- Individuals who the client has granted permission to access their records
- People with a legally valid power of attorney that verifies their ability to access medical records
- Law enforcement officers, if they have a legal basis for requesting the information
Confidentiality and Family Members
In India, family plays a vital role in each individual's life; loved ones often act as primary caregivers. However, that doesn't give family members the right to know the details of their loved one's health and treatment. The only times family members have access to that information include:
- In cases where the court orders the care team to share details with the family
- If they have a power of attorney or similar legal right
- The client requests that the care team keep them informed
Family members don't have an inherent right to their loved one's information. Protecting client privacy and autonomy can help them develop higher self-esteem and improved self-efficacy.
Keeping Client Information Safe and Secure
Clients should have peace of mind that their medical records and private information aren't going to fall into the hands of people who may not have their best interests at heart. In addition, ensuring privacy also protects the care team and allows them to focus fully on providing the best services possible. Client confidentiality also builds trust and assists clients in establishing healthy boundaries. Samarpan ensures that clients feel confident in their ability to trust and rely on their clinical team during treatment.
Samarpan treats every client with respect and integrity. Every team member follows ethical policies and procedures to ensure client information remains protected and confidential. We understand the vulnerability many people feel when they begin treatment, and we work hard to ensure that every client feels secure in honestly discussing their condition with the care team. Confidentiality ensures that no third parties, including family members, can access private client details. Trust is essential to treatment, and Samarpan guards our client's privacy. We ensure that only people on the medical team or those the client has approved have access to our records. To learn more about our programs, call our office at +91 81809 19090.