RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Confidentiality in the waiting room: an observational study in general practice JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 490 OP 493 VO 57 IS 539 A1 Kate Scott A1 Jane V Dyas A1 Jo B Middlemass A1 A Niroshan Siriwardena YR 2007 UL http://bjgp.org/content/57/539/490.abstract AB 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 ‘attention focus’, ‘sound’ and ‘layout’, increased the likelihood of breach of confidentiality. Further research on the patient perspective is recommended.