551-5

Assignment 5

3. If I were a patient and I read all these statutes, I am more likely to go the doctor and have an open discussion. This is so because I know that the information I share with the doctor is private and it is meant to improve my health condition. The doctor will give me medical attention based on the information that I provide. Therefore, for promising medical outcomes, I will have an open discussion with the doctor. However, this may not be the case if I am a spouse of an abuser or gunshot wound victim among others. This is because I know that such cases will end up in the hands of the security agencies and may trigger serious investigations after that. So, if the information I give is likely to hold me accountable for the violent crime, I will not be open to the doctor. However, if somebody else will be held accountable, then I may disclose all the material facts to the doctor.

4. The society is better served from this legislation that requires mandatory reporting of medical information to the government. This is because some of the violent crimes are not reported to the law enforcement agencies for legal actions among others to be taken. This possibly makes the society insecure as victims may be abused again by the same people. The perpetrators will also continue committing the violent crimes if they are not arrested and action taken against them. Therefore, it is for the benefit of society when medical information is reported to the government for actions to be taken.