NationStates Jolt Archive

or a case of rather obscene obtrusion by certain government/non-government entities.

A man was having an annual check up with his doctor. where he confided with his doctor that he drank a six-pac of beer every night, in his own home. The doctor took this information and gave it to the states DOT which revoked that man's drivers license.

The man didnt say he drank alcohol and drove, nor did he have a record of DUI's. Is this looking out for the public good and getting a potential drunk driver off the road? Or is it a gross violation of doctor/patient confidentiality and a potential violation of the man's civil rights by the state?

Both.

That totally broke doctor patient confidentiality.

Both, but doctor patient confidentiality is supposed to trump the law, no?

Poll? Options being: A, B, Both A and B, Neither A or B, None of the Above.

Both, but doctor patient confidentiality is supposed to trump the law, no?
if the doctor has specific knowledge of a crime that is going to occur, or from their knowledge of the patient and patients behavior that a crime is likely to occur then they are required to report it to the authorities.
Hospitals are required to report gunshot wounds/certain type of knife wounds for example.

This law is being challanged in a few specific cases tho. Cases of teen pregnancy caused by abuse or rape were being reported, but there is a challange to stop that reporting now.

Poll? Options being: A, B, Both A and B, Neither A or B, None of the Above.

While Im a forum junkie, I havent figured out how to post a poll. That plus I would rather read thoughts/arguements (as in a debate, not as in fisticuffs) than look at poll numbers anyway.

or a case of rather obscene obtrusion by certain government/non-government entities.

A man was having an annual check up with his doctor. where he confided with his doctor that he drank a six-pac of beer every night, in his own home. The doctor took this information and gave it to the states DOT which revoked that man's drivers license.

The man didnt say he drank alcohol and drove, nor did he have a record of DUI's. Is this looking out for the public good and getting a potential drunk driver off the road? Or is it a gross violation of doctor/patient confidentiality and a potential violation of the man's civil rights by the state?
In this case, there was no evidence to suggest the potential drunk driver ever drove drunk, so I think that the doctor was wrong.

The doctor violated the trust.

Was the man lying?

Was the 6 pack near bear?

Did the doc try to help him(alcholics group)?

Depends on the laws. Gunshot wounds are reported. In certain cases, rape....

In this case, there was no evidence to suggest the potential drunk driver ever drove drunk, so I think that the doctor was wrong.Yeah--there seems to be something missing from this story, like a history of DUI or perhaps the guy was on probation or something and was violated as a result. Something just doesn't add up here.

Yeah--there seems to be something missing from this story, like a history of DUI or perhaps the guy was on probation or something and was violated as a result. Something just doesn't add up here.
Yeah, it does seem that way. But, if whats posted there is the full story, theres something very wrong.