One hundred seventy-seven patients, 53 medical students, and 109 house staff were surveyed by questionnaire regarding the confidentiality of information that patients give to physicians. Physicians and students reported discussing cases in situations in which most patients did not expect this to occur. These included discussions at parties (36% v 9%) and with spouses (51% v 17%), and identification of patients by name (60% v 23%). Both patients and medical personnel thought it was common to discuss cases with other physicians, even at large meetings, for additional opinions or because of interest. However, patients were less likely than physicians to think that this occurred (90% v 51%). Medical students in their first 60 days of training responded more like physicians than like the lay public. Physicians responded similarly at various levels of training. Primary v non-primary care physicians showed no differences in response.
KIE: A survey of patients, medical students, and house staff at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center indicated that patients expect a more rigorous standard of confidentiality than actually exists. The questionnaire revealed patients' perceptions and physicians' practices in the communication of confidential information in professional discussions and in casual conversation with medical and non-medical friends.