A victim of shame

I have always been the one to advocate for people standing up-for their rights and i shall continue to do so. The other day I had a dear friend narrate a story of a recent ordeal whereby their right to privacy was violated. Privacy of-course is the state of being apart from other people or concealed from their views.

It is sad to know that these days we can no longer trust the people we confide in. It turns out that my friend went to this particular professional seeking medical psycho social assistance, and only to find that the trust he had for this professional to maintain professionalism would soon be betrayed. The whole concept of having to share your information and thoughts with someone is always daunting; but one feels better and lighter when knowing that the piece of information shared is to be kept safe. It is not shared willy-nilly.

In my friends instance, it so happened that the information shared ended up causing family issues; in-fact causing the family to believe that he is ‘cured’ from being gay and is now ready to commit to a woman. As I type this, the family is getting ready for a wedding and my friend is still in shock. He cannot even bring himself to tell the parents that he is not in-fact in a relationship with a woman. The snowball effect of a single story, told in secret to a practitioner has led to an individual practically having his life distorted.

Confidentiality clause

It remains true that confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of health work; especially when the work deals with individuals’ issues and emotions. The thought process that went into deciphering the confidentiality clause must have been immense and it was on a basis of curbing psychological violence. The aim of the clause in each practitioner’s contract I believe is meant to protect both parties. The patient is meant to sleep peacefully knowing that their information is well protected and safe. Cohesively, it keeps the practitioner (him or her or they) in-check over the work that they do. It is more or less a guide for one to stay steadfast and continuously inspired by the work that they do.

Violating the clause and ethics

By violating the clause (information divulsion), one is definite to put another on the spotlight and in the way of harm. In-fact, one is definite to feel violated and loses trust and confidence in the practitioner. Not only do they fear ever going back to that particular practitioner, but they fear going back to another or referring another person. This therefore causes a gap in the system.

Respecting the work

In all essence, every single person is meant to respect the work that they do. This is particularly true if that work includes working directly with people. The standards, principles and values of each institution are meant to bring every individual to this accord. Respecting ‘the’ work entirely means that one essentially values the people that are ‘the work’.