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Letter To The Privacy Officer Concerning The Teaching Environment Of The Orthopedic Clinic I Attend
[ Friday May 24th 2024 at 2:11 am ]

I recently received a letter from the Privacy Officer of the medical facility I travel to for my orthopaedic appointments. The medical facility was compelled to inform me that my privacy had been violated. My doctor used implied consent instead of informed consent when accessing my old medical history. I personally thought this was utterly ridiculous. I had given the orthopaedic surgeon every indication that I want and needs his help. This included couriering a letter to express the evolving urgent nature of my artificial hips failing me and the urgency I had to be seen.

I have decided to respond to the Privacy officer on two issues:

  • I do not agree with the Privacy Officer injecting himself into the patient - doctor relationship I have with the surgeon. I strongly believe that if you make a mistake you go to the person involved and acknowledge this. If a letter must be sent I strongly feel it should have been countersigned by the surgeon.
  • The other issue I am raising is that I am revoking consent for the involvement of me in the teaching environment. I am not feeling well from my artificial hips malfunctioning. I simply don't have the stamina to endure the interns grilling me for what is wrong and then have energy to repeat the same to the surgeon. I am very physically weak from what my hips have been doing to me. I am self aware. I am at my physical limit. I have no choice in the matter.

I am willing to speak up for myself when it is necessary. I don't get any enjoyment out of doing so. But when necessary I will. This is one of the situations where it is needed.