Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

What is the legal term that describes a patient’s right to control certain personal information?

1. Access

2. Confidentiality

3. Privacy

4. Security

The correct answer is: Privacy

The term that describes a patient’s right to control certain personal information is privacy. Privacy encompasses the right of individuals to have a say over who accesses their personal information and how it is used. This concept is foundational in healthcare, as it pertains to the management of patient information, ensuring individuals can restrict exposure of their sensitive data to unauthorized parties. While confidentiality pertains to the obligation of healthcare providers to protect patient information and not disclose it without consent, and security relates to the measures taken to protect that information from unauthorized access or breaches, privacy is specifically focused on the individual's right to control their own information. Access, on the other hand, refers to the ability to view or obtain information, which does not inherently convey the same level of control that privacy does. Therefore, privacy is the most accurate term related to a patient's autonomy over their personal information.