Sorry I couldn’t word that better, but I don’t know the proper term. My vocabulary is kind of limited and I have trouble putting thoughts into words.
I always see stuff about this rule, but I don’t really understand it. You can’t talk about what’s said during this appointment, but what does that entail? And what are the exceptions to this rule, because I think there are, right?
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You can say whatever you want about it to whoever you want. Doctor-Patient confidentiality is for the doctor, not for you. You could walk out into the waiting room and announce every detail of the appointment instantly, if you really wanted to.
Confidentiality is basically a “You can tell the doctor in private, and the doctor won’t tell other people”, to reduce embarrassment or the risk of the patient not telling the doctor about something embarrassing in case their friends and family find out
The doctor cannot generally talk to anyone other than
1. You, obviously
2. Possibly your parent/guardian if you are under 18 (depending on circumstances and location)
3. Someone you specifically nominate for this purpose (which you never have to do, but may choose to if convenient)
4. Someone appointed by the court as a power of attorney or similar (usually only if you are incapable of acting on your own behalf, eg severe mental disability or in a coma)
5. Other *relevant* medical professionals
Note that on that last point, they can’t just go home and talk to their wife just because they happen to be a doctor, or tell a random dentist they meet in the supermarket about you – they can only talk to medical professionals that they specifically need to talk to in order to facilitate your care. Eg they can refer you to a specialist and send them your notes, or talk to their nurse to tell the nurse what blood tests the nurse needs to take from you. Or if you go in for surgery the hospital can request your notes from your doctor. That kind of thing.
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