MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Brodie Nolan, MD BSc PGY3 Emergency Medicine Resident University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main issues? Dr. Nolan: Police are commonly encountered in the emergency department (ED). They support EMS, transport patients, are a source of collateral information for health care professionals, and help provide a safe environment for hospital staff. However, there is a potential for conflict due to the nature of police investigation and the emergency physician’s duty to protect patients’ confidentiality and personal health information. Any disclosure of patient information to police without consent could potentially violate the patient’s right to privacy of personal health information. Unfortunately, it is not uncommonly the case that patients in the emergency department for whom the police have an interest are unable or unwilling to provide consent. Education for emergency medicine residents on police-physician exchanges is variable however it is important to understand the legislation surrounding these practices to ensure patients’ rights are protected and avoid any potential for litigation. (more…)