The function of confidentiality: bioethics and incest

Abstract

This work intends to build up considerations about the confidentiality function for health professionals who deal with people involved in case of incest; evaluating the ethical limits of these interventions. The methodology used was a reflection based on Bioethics and Psychoanalyses and was illustrated by research with health professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers and nurse assistants from the Pediatric Emergency room at the University Hospital of São Paulo University. Interviews were conduced about how to deal professionally with children and adolescents suspected of being sexually abused. All interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis of content and technique. Health professionals consider attending to patients involved in sexual abuse cases a difficult problem to approach. The absence of conflict between breaking professional secrecy and the maintenance of the reliance bond between the health professional and the patient in incest situations, shows the difficulties for the professionals when dealing with people involved in such cases. And to discriminate the function of a health professional, by considering incest as a structuralizing taboo from the essence of human being.