Breach of confidentiality - advice please

I found out that someone I saw in a medical capacity knows members of my family and has told them that I went in to see her (after 'meeting' me at a lunch, where I introduced myself and gave no indication that I had met her before which I thought made it clear that I did not want it known).

She did not divulge any personal information that I am aware of but saying I had seen her is enough, the place she works is specialist area and family member works in a similar field, different agency.

I do not wish to make trouble for my family member, they did not initiate or engage in conversation about it (that I am aware of) but I feel quite betrayed and yuck that the 'professional' I saw in confidence would be so casual about mentioning it to others.

What I'd like to know is, am I within my rights to complain about this? Or is just saying you saw a particular person not a breach of confidence?
It is not that I want to get her in trouble or get back at her. It has really upset me though and potentially could have been very embarrassing and difficult for me had my family member not been as discreet as she was.
I'm feeling like maybe I should take it further as she really needs to know that it is not something you should be casual about.

Any advice appreciated, TIA.

Technically, yes a Dr but not just a gp that you might go and see for any number of complaints. As I said, a specialist area that would be very obvious about what I would be going there for so saying she saw me is as good as saying what was wrong with me IYGWIM?

I don't know from a legal standpoint, but from a professional one at least that's really not on at all. I would absolutely write to the practice she works at and let that know about it. I'm sure they'd be very unimpressed with that kind of thing, and will let her know.

I had a similar feeling when my midwife mentioned she'd met a friend of mine although she didn't go with her as a midwife. I hadn't mentioned knowing she was pregnant, what if I didn't know??

From a legal standpoint, I would think it would be considered a breach under the Health and Disability Commissioners code of patient rights. No, they haven't disclosed the details of the session, but they had no reason to tell others you were accessing their services.

Sorry - this sort of thing makes me really angry cos it's not necessary and it's just not OK.

Thanks so much for the input guys, I do appreciate it.

We are taught (In midwifery) not to acknowledge or tell anyone who we have met with unless they do it first. I will be honest I find it a lot harder to do, especially if it is a friend of a friend. However I think it is definately worth complaining, even just to let the dr in question realise what she/he has done.

I would send her a letter outlining your dissapointment and that it wasn't something you had or wanted to discuss with your family and she had put you in a difficult position.

I would be upset by it as well.

I agree with the majority here, sounds like it has been upsetting for you so you should let her via her clinic or a letter of complaint etc to know that it wasnt ok!  *hugs*

caraMel wrote: Thought I should add, I'm not really angry with her and out to get her fired or anything. I believe it was a careless/thoughtless thing on her part that she should know had upsetting consequences for me. It is not something that I had wanted my family to know about and now they do.

you know i would probably let her know how it affected you - it may have been accidental but that doesnt change how it made you feel. And if she doesnt know she was in the wrong then she wont know to change.

Contact the Privacy Commission? They should be able to give you advice on whether it falls with them or the Health and Disability Commission.

I did the health professional's training through the Privacy Commission... and probably should know :P ... but I'll have a look through my stuff on Monday. xox