Patty is completing a student internship for her associate’s degree in the therapeutic activities program. She asks to review the medical records of the people who were just in her projects group. You are supervising Patty. You should:
a. Advise Patty that the records are confidential and may not be inspected by students.
b. Make certain that Patty is well trained in the policies and procedures relating to confidential information, and only then allow her access to the medical records.
c. Permit Patty free access to the records because she is like part of the staff.
d. Obtain written consent from each client for Patty to review the records.
The hypothetical practice situations that follow are designed to stimulate thinking and discussion on the issue of confidentiality. Each situation is followed by a multiple-choice list of possible responses you might make. Choose the responses that you consider the best. In some cases you might want to use more than one of the responses listed. Others may choose a different answer. Discuss with your fellow students the different possibilities and what might present the best outcome for the client.
