Risk-Actuated Public Interest Disclosure Practices of Nurses Working in Mental Health, Pertaining to Confidential Information of Patients

Abstract

For nurses working in mental health, the inappropriate handling of confidential information may cause issues for stakeholders. However, there is a paucity of research literature to guide nurses. Therefore, this study aimed to add to the extant literature on risk-actuated public-interest disclosure practices of nurses. The study found participants understood exceptions to confidentiality, but not the concept of public interest. Furthermore, disclosure for risk management in perceived risk laden scenarios, was described by participants as a collaborative endeavour, albeit one where peer advice was not necessarily followed. Finally, participants’ risk-actuated disclosure-related decision-making focussed on protecting a patient or others from harm.