Nothing would be gained and my professional life would be over for violating confidentiality.

Another 25 states permit physicians to violate doctor-patient confidentiality to report impaired drivers, if they so choose.

"Telling me if she's all right won't violate confidentiality."

Under current law, physicians are subject to disciplinary action by state health regulators and to a lawsuit from a patient if they violate confidentiality.

It does not suggest that spiritual directors violate confidentiality or inform others of the candidate's homosexuality.

Persons who violated such confidentiality could receive a civil fine of up to $2,000.

"Without violating doctor-patient confidentiality, is there anything going on with any of them that I should be concerned about?"

The obligation to report misdeeds does not violate attorney-client confidentiality.

The surgeon sued citing that interviewing the patients violated medical confidentiality.

"Violating confidentiality is an ambush that will drive many people away from treatment."