Say an under aged female goes to the free clinic and gets tested, her results show positive, and the information is sent to the primary care physician. Then on the next doctor visit, is that doctor allowed to discuss any of this information with the childs parent without consent of the child?
2007-03-19 05:40:53 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
This will depend on the test, but I'm assuming you mean either a pregnancy test or a test for an STD (sexually-transmitted disease).
With a pregnancy test, the clinician is not allowed to discuss the results with the minor's parents, but she is STRONGLY urged to tell her parents.
The conversation would go like this, if the parent did know that the test occurred:
Parent: I'd like to know the results of whatever test was done at the free clinic
Doctor: I'm sorry, I cannot provide you with that information.
Parent: So does that mean she's pregnant?
Doctor: It just means I am not able to give you the information. You should try to talk to her about this.
Now when it comes to abortions, some states require parental notification before a provider will proceed.
For STDs, I think all states allow for diagnosis and treatment without disclosure to the minor's parents. STDs are not discussed with parents without the minor's consent.
2007-03-19 05:52:15 · answer #1 · answered by bacchi_laureate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The laws prevent the doctor from discussing it with ANYONE other than the underage female. The child would need to give consent in order for the Dr. to tell the parents anything. I am assuming that the child is of the age to make 'consent' agreements. Hopefully, if what the child learns is very serious, the child WILL have the dr., the parents, and the child all discuss it. If you find that you are pregnant, please, talk to your parents about it, before you decide to 'get rid of the evidence'. (Your parents may understand more than you realize). If you have a serious illness, please, talk to someone about it, and don't try to carry the burden alone.
2007-03-19 13:09:23 · answer #2 · answered by laurel g 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The info will be eventually sent to your primary physician anyway. Why not go to him in the first place. Doctors usually don't divulge the confidence of their patients. Just give him the heads up so he will know what is going on. The parents are ultimitately responsible for you and your doctors responsibility is towards your best care but I think he would prefer that you told them yourself, if they needed to know.
2007-03-19 12:50:01 · answer #3 · answered by yudavilla 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋