Which term describes the obligation to protect patient privacy and act in patients' best interests?

• A. Duty of care
• B. HIPAA compliance
• C. Patient autonomy
• D. Privacy by design

Answer: (A)

The obligation to protect patient privacy and act in patients' best interests is the duty of care. In healthcare, this term captures the ethical and legal responsibility clinicians have to prevent harm, provide an appropriate standard of treatment, and safeguard confidentiality as part of serving the patient’s welfare. It means keeping information confidential, respecting the patient’s rights, and making decisions that prioritize the patient’s well-being.

HIPAA compliance, while essential, describes regulatory requirements for protecting health information rather than the broader, ongoing obligation to act in the patient's best interests. Patient autonomy refers to the patient’s right to make their own decisions, not the provider’s duty to protect privacy. Privacy by design is a design principle aimed at embedding privacy into systems, not the overall professional obligation to protect a patient’s privacy and welfare.