Archives of Health Science and Research
Review

The Importance of Privacy in Midwifery Practices

1.

Atatürk Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi, Erzurum

2.

Doç. Dr. Atatürk Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi, Ebelik Bölümü, Erzurum

Arch Health Sci Res 2015; 2: 113-124
Read: 3469 Downloads: 897 Published: 20 December 2019

Privacy means the restriction for a person to access to information regarding her/his body, feelings, thoughts or information regarding her/himself or her/his relationships by other people. Confidentiality is defined as the state of being private and the privacy. Confidentiality is also a way of respecting the patient privacy. The item of the International Planned Parenthood Foundation regarding the right of privacy emphasizes that all individuals have the right to have their personal, home, family and communication privacy inviolated and keep their privacy and personal information confidential in all sexual health and reproductive health services including the information and counseling. The concept of privacy is used in every environment where human being exist, as well as every area that belongs to human beings. On the other hand, the patient privacy is very important in medical practices. Violating the privacy of women during the obstetrical-gynecological evaluation and examination causes an intense sense of shame and fear in women. Privacy is important since it supports the psychological functions of healthcare areas. The formation and operability of legal and institutional regulations aimed at the protection of generally patient rights, and especially the privacy and the confidentiality of information are indispensable elements for medical institutions targeting a quality service. For this purpose, healthcare professionals and especially the midwives should realize the procedures requiring the reveal and explanation of patient’s body, private life and secrets in a private environment during the examination, treatment, and diagnostic procedures.

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EISSN 2687-4644