Foundations of Public Health Practice

Confidentiality (PH 204)

This workshop was developed in cooperation with the NYS Department of Health. The intended audience is staff members of the NYS Department of Health and Local Health Departments (especially those not covered by specific confidentiality regulations or protocols).

Purpose of workshop:

• Raise awareness of requirement to respect privacy and maintain confidentiality of personal health information
• Assist public health agencies in assuring that privacy and personal health information are maintained

Objectives: As a result of participating in this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify at least two situations in their workplace when confidentiality may be an issue
• Explain why measures taken to maintain confidentiality are important
• Describe the relevance of confidentiality in public health
• Explain how to meet the standards of confidentiality in a variety of situations

General topics:

• “What if…” scenarios
• Principles of confidentiality
• Confidential information in public health
• Confidentiality – best practices in public health