The duty of confidentiality - Modern day implications on herbal practice

However, it is also important that the framework of professional conduct and ethics develops to support these advances in herbal medicine. Particularly if Medical Herbalists are to work in tandem with GPs or in secondary care settings, there must be in place a solid understanding of how to approach issues such as patient confidentiality. This is not a simple issue but is overlaid with legislation, case law and professional guidance which, although useful in enriching the picture, also require careful interpretation. This article aims to explain clearly the duty of confidentiality in herbal practice and examine what steps should be taken by a practitioner faced with such issues.