Citation

Tobin BM, Leeder SR, Somerville ER. Med. J. Aust. 2002; 176(6): 279-280.

Affiliation

Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, NSW. b.tobin@plunkett.acu.edu.au

Comment In:

Med J Aust 2002;.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Australian Medical Association, Publisher Australasian Medical Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11999262

Abstract

Australian law embodies a "communitarian" conception of the doctor's responsibility to respect the confidentiality of the doctor-patient relationship. This implies that respect for confidentiality sits alongside two other responsibilities: proper care for the patient's general wellbeing and proper attention to the safety of the community. Most jurisdictions now require drivers to advise their local driver-licensing authority of any permanent or long-term injury or illness that affects their ability to drive safely. Some jurisdictions require doctors to inform the driver-licensing authority about patients whose medical condition may impair their driving to the extent that they are likely to endanger the public. If you can not persuade a patient to inform the driver-licensing authority of the need for an assessment of his or her ability to drive safely, then you should inform the relevant authorities yourself.

Language: en