@article {Scott490, author = {Kate Scott and Jane V Dyas and Jo B Middlemass and A Niroshan Siriwardena}, title = {Confidentiality in the waiting room: an observational study in general practice}, volume = {57}, number = {539}, pages = {490--493}, year = {2007}, publisher = {Royal College of General Practitioners}, abstract = {An ethnographic study using overt non-participatory observation was used to investigate confidentiality breaches in 13 GP practice reception and/or waiting areas in Lincolnshire. Staff and patient behaviours were observed for 2 hours. Aspects of management systems and physical environment were also thematically analysed. Forty-four instances occurred where patient-identifiable information was overheard. Of these instances, 22 were initiated by staff, 22 by patients, 33 face-to-face, and 10 from telephone conversations. Breaches included name and address, symptoms, conditions, or test results. Interaction between systems and physical environment in relation to {\textquoteleft}attention focus{\textquoteright}, {\textquoteleft}sound{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}layout{\textquoteright}, increased the likelihood of breach of confidentiality. Further research on the patient perspective is recommended.}, issn = {0960-1643}, URL = {https://bjgp.org/content/57/539/490}, eprint = {https://bjgp.org/content/57/539/490.full.pdf}, journal = {British Journal of General Practice} }