| Abstract: | Reported here is the debate over AIDS and confidentiality that took place during the June 1987 conference of representatives of the British Medical Association's local medical committees (LMCs). At issue was a motion that general practitioners be told if a patient of theirs was diagnosed with AIDS or tested positive for antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus while under the care of a specialist, even if the patient opposed disclosure. Some conference participants maintained that disclosure would enable the general practitioner to better care for the patient with AIDS, while others argued that general practitioners had no right to know a diagnosis by another physician that a patient wanted to keep secret. After a lengthy debate, the LMC representatives voted to confirm the traditional policy on confidentiality, with the final decision on disclosure resting with the patient. |
