Doctor and Patient Confidentiality

[PinkFloyd]

So if at a doctor's appointment the doctor asks me if I'm sexually active and I tell the truth and say yes, will he tell my parents?

[Houtz96]

No. Being sexually active is not something that will affect your health to the point that you're in danger. If it was that "I've cut myself and I think my arm might be infected", that's different. There would be something else to push off of. It's like a psychologist. There is only so much that you can tell them in confidence until they think that you're in harms way.

Same way with teachers or principals. They have a legal obligation to keep you from getting hurt in some way like that.

[Michael Anthony]

no he won't tell your parents unless your mom or dad is already in the exam room with you

[likemike]

Only if you have a STI

[sparkles]

generally he or she wants you to be healthy and it's important for that for you to be honest and feel comfortable. I don't imagine he/she will tell them. You can always ask him/her to not tell them.

[Trinity_15]

generally they wont, but if you feel like they might just say you don't want them to tell your parents

[Steven1]

There is only one reason which doctors can break patient confidentiality and that is when they think that the child is at SERIOUS risk of harm, injury or death. Other than that they can't tell anyone, apart from other doctors (for a second opinion ONLY) anything that you tell them. Under the age of 16 they may be able to tell the parent's some stuff, but that is only on a 'need to know' basis and if you require surgical treatment for it, but if it's sexual then they'll let you tell them in your own way when you're home. (I'm part of St John Ambulance and want to be in the medical field when I'm older, so I have to abide by and have read up loads on Patient Confidentiality).

[GigglyAbby]

I agree that If you are asked that --- they may only tell your parents or the authorities if you have a STI and you stated that you wanted to knowingly spread it to others.

[Jake Morgan]

My bro and I both got asked that individually during our first puberty exams. Figured it will be a standard question from now on. Like everyone else is saying, he's not going to say something to your folks unless he has to.