Confidentiality in Sport

Confidentiality is the duty to keep identifiable patient information private, and sport strains it because the sport and exercise medicine (SEM) doctor often works for a club keenly interested in an athlete's medical information.

The duty of confidence is owed to the athlete as patient. Coaches, management, team-mates, agents, insurers and the media may all want to know a diagnosis, a prognosis or availability.