title: Attorney/physician. Guidelines for inter-professional conduct.
abstract: It has come to our attention that many attorneys are causing record copy companies to subpoena medical records without attaching an authorization or consent signed by the patient. This is unacceptable. Physicians should never honor a third-party request or subpoena for records without a properly executed authorization signed by the patient. The power of a subpoena should never be used to put a physician in the position of violating patient confidentiality through lack of understanding or intimidation. The attorney should be responsible to see that a proper authorization is submitted with the records request or subpoena. A physician who receives a records request or subpoena without such an authorization should immediately communicate refusal to comply and the reason to the initiating attorney. The medical and legal professions have established an attorney/physician code covering this and related issues. The code is set forth verbatim.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008499:Medical Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*