Are doctor appointments confidential?

We tell our doctors a lot of sensitive information, so it’s important to understand what stays private and how we can protect others’ privacy.

What is doctor-patient confidentiality?

• In Canada, patients who ask for medical help have the right to keep their medical history private. “Confidentiality” means the information being shared is restricted to you, your health care provider and any other providers helping with your treatment.
• Every province and territory has its own set of laws surrounding patient confidentiality. While confidential health services are a basic concept throughout Canada, laws may differ around things like who has the right to make medical decisions for you if you are unconscious, or how your doctor must store your health information to keep it safe from unauthorized access. For example, New Brunswick has the Personal Health Information Privacy and Access Act and Ontario has the Personal Health Information Protection Act.

Will my doctor tell my parents or family what we talked about?

Generally, a health care provider won't talk to your parents without your consent. In Canada, only Quebec has a defined age — under 14 years old — where parents or a court-appointed guardian must be notified about treatments prescribed by a doctor.

When it comes to talking about recommended treatments, a doctor must determine if a patient is physically, mentally and emotionally mature enough to able to understand the information they are being told, as well as the risks of pursuing or not pursuing a treatment. (For example, can a ten-year-old understand the potential complications of getting their tonsils out? Probably not. In this case, the doctor would discuss the decision with a parent as well as the young patient.)

Many provinces have varying ages of “presumed capacity” — ranging from 14 to 19 years old — where a patient is automatically deemed able to have the capacity to make health care decisions, unless a doctor has reason to believe otherwise.

If you’re under the age of 19 and you want to keep something absolutely private from your parents or guardian, talk to your doctor. They’ll be able to tell you the confidentiality laws in your province or territory.

What is mandatory reporting?

In very rare circumstances, a health care provider may be required by law to alert other professionals about a concerning situation. Each province and territory has its own guidelines about what a health care provider is required to report.

These situations usually occur when someone is in danger. For example, if a health care provider has concerns that an authority figure is engaging in abuse or neglect or if a patient is planning to do imminent harm to themselves or others.

Can I record my doctor appointment?

We get it — doctor’s appointments can include a lot of information that you want to make sure you remember. But, before you hit record, it’s important to first ask your doctor. We are rarely alone in a health care setting. Often, other patients and providers will be close by. It’s important that everyone’s confidentiality is protected, which your doctor will have to ensure before giving you the go-ahead.

A lot of information is also non-verbal and context-dependent, and it may not be captured on a recording device. Your doctor will want to make sure they are delivering the information to you in a way that will be accurate and complete. If your doctor asks that you don’t record them, have a conversation about how your goals can be met. For example, they may be able to create personalized guidelines or provide other resources.