confidentiality

A professional’s promise to his or her client not to reveal information without the client’s consent.

Other definition: An ethical requirement and rule based on privacy that implies an obligation for health professionals to keep to themselves what they have learned, seen and heard in the practising of their profession.

Note: Confidentiality is vital for maintaining a successful therapeutic relationship. In law, confidentiality is considered an explicit or implicit contract between the patient and the professional that requires the latter to maintain confidentiality.