Earlier quoted context omitted.
Doctor-patient confidentiality is important so that the doctor can act in your best interest (yes, yes, very funny) with full information. Very many things doctors need to be aware of to diagnose conditions have significant social stigma. Examples include alcoholism, mental disorders, substance abuse, genital status, sexual status, pregnancy status, the list goes on. The average person is reluctant to share this info…
> Very many things doctors need to be aware of to diagnose conditions have significant social stigma... the risk is too great for any individual Very many things doctors need to be aware of, because the patients life depends on it, are left out when patients move between specialists and physicians, which happens all of the time. Outbreaks of viral and bacterial illnesses result in thousands of people independently ch…
I would start freaking the fuck out if my primary care physician gets to sell my diagnosis for money to Facebook, and I don't give a rat's ass if some 3 year old could've been cured of epilepsy if my doctor was able to do so. HIPPAA prevents my doctor from doing so and I'm glad for it.