Question

You have a patient with a strong family history of breast cancer. As a matter of the patient's request, you perform a BRCA genetic test to see if there is an increased risk for breast cancer. The patient's employer is requesting a copy of any genetic testing that may have been done. What should you do? a. Give the employer the information. b. Refer the employer to the hospital lawyer. c. Bring the request to the ethics committee. d. Refuse to provide the information to the employer. e. Give the information if it is positive on a repeat exam. 

    You have a patient with a strong family history of breast cancer. As a matter of the patient's request, you perform a BRCA genetic test to see if there is an increased risk for breast cancer. The patient's employer is requesting a copy of any genetic testing that may have been done.
What should you do?
a. Give the employer the information.
b. Refer the employer to the hospital lawyer.
c. Bring the request to the ethics committee.
d. Refuse to provide the information to the employer.
e. Give the information if it is positive on a repeat exam.
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Medical Ethics for the Boards
Medical Ethics for the Boards
Conrad Fischer 3rd Edition
Chapter 1, Problem 23 ↓

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Understand that genetic information is sensitive and protected under laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States.  Show more…

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You have a patient with a strong family history of breast cancer. As a matter of the patient's request, you perform a BRCA genetic test to see if there is an increased risk for breast cancer. The patient's employer is requesting a copy of any genetic testing that may have been done. What should you do? a. Give the employer the information. b. Refer the employer to the hospital lawyer. c. Bring the request to the ethics committee. d. Refuse to provide the information to the employer. e. Give the information if it is positive on a repeat exam.
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Key Concepts

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Genetic Testing Privacy
Genetic testing privacy involves special considerations due to the sensitive nature of the information obtained from such tests. The results can reveal predispositions to certain conditions and have significant personal and familial implications, thus warranting enhanced protections to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.
Informed Consent
Informed consent is the process by which a patient voluntarily agrees to a particular action after understanding the risks, benefits, and alternatives. It is crucial in decisions regarding disclosure of personal health data, ensuring that the patient’s rights and preferences are respected in any data-sharing decisions.
Patient Confidentiality
Patient confidentiality is a fundamental ethical and legal obligation in healthcare that ensures all personal and medical information shared by a patient is kept private. This concept dictates that sensitive information, including results from genetic testing, must not be disclosed without explicit consent from the patient.
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