What ethical principle is violated when patient confidentiality is breached?

When patient confidentiality is breached, the ethical principle of autonomy is violated. Autonomy refers to the right of patients to make informed choices about their own healthcare and to have their personal health information kept private. Maintaining confidentiality is essential for respecting a patient's autonomy, as it ensures that they can trust healthcare providers with sensitive information. When confidentiality is compromised, patients may feel their autonomy is undermined, leading to a lack of trust in the healthcare system, which can inhibit their willingness to seek care or share important information necessary for effective treatment.

In the context of the other ethical principles, justice pertains to fairness and equality in the distribution of healthcare resources, beneficence focuses on promoting the well-being of patients, and non-maleficence emphasizes the obligation to avoid causing harm. While breaches in confidentiality may relate to these principles in certain aspects, it is primarily the principle of autonomy that is most directly violated when a patient’s private information is improperly disclosed.