The conflict between accountability and confidentiality in Medicare's access to psychiatrists? notes.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this paper were to identify a conflict between psychiatrists? obligations regarding patient confidentiality and Medicare's auditing procedures, and to examine potential resolutions to the conflict.


CONCLUSIONS
While it is reasonable for Medicare, as a taxpayer-funded instrumentality, to require documentary evidence to substantiate and justify claims, such a requirement constitutes a significant breach of patient confidentiality. Obtaining patient consent appears to be the only ethical resolution of the issue.
Disability and Community Inclusion, School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Paul.Jewell@fl inders.edu.au
Paul
P
Jewell
D001315:Australia; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000941:ethics*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012941:Social Responsibility