Privacy, Confidentiality, and Data Protection in Health

This topic explores the critical ethical duties of protecting privacy and maintaining confidentiality in healthcare and health research settings, a fundamental concern for Zambian tertiary students in health informatics, medicine, and public health. It distinguishes between privacy (the right to control personal information) and confidentiality (the duty to protect information shared in trust). Students will examine challenges posed by electronic health records, disease registries, contact tracing, and research data sharing. The topic covers practical strategies such as de-identification, encryption, and controlled data access, as well as the ethical justifications for breaching confidentiality in rare circumstances (e.g., mandatory reporting of certain diseases). For Zambian learners, understanding these principles is essential for upholding patient trust, complying with emerging data protection laws, and conducting research ethically within the University of Zambia and other institutions, thereby safeguarding individuals and communities in an increasingly digital health landscape.