PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Medical confidentiality is the cornerstone for a trustful relationship between patients and the health professionals attending to them. However, when history or clinical findings suggest certain offenses, statutory laws (Children\'s Act, Older Persons Act, Mental Health Care Act, Sexual Offenses Act) establish a legal obligation for health professionals to report suspected instances of abuse to the police or alternatively, in some cases, to a designated social worker. Given the high rate of domestic violence and abuse in South Africa, health professionals are most likely to encounter such situations. Many clinicians are oblivious of the obligations, exposing themselves to possible liability and their patients to potential additional harm. This article aims to demonstrate the reporting requirements under the respective acts through case scenarios. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the existing legal setting are discussed briefly.
摘要：
医疗保密是患者与照顾他们的卫生专业人员之间建立信任关系的基石。然而,当病史或临床发现提示某些罪行时，成文法(儿童法，老年人法，精神卫生保健法,性犯罪法）规定了卫生专业人员向警方报告涉嫌虐待事件的法律义务，在某些情况下,指定的社会工作者。鉴于南非家庭暴力和虐待的发生率很高，卫生专业人员最有可能遇到这种情况。许多临床医生忽视了这些义务，暴露自己可能的责任和他们的病人潜在的额外伤害。本文旨在通过案例场景说明相应行为下的报告要求。最后,简要讨论了现有法律设置的优缺点。
