What does 'invasion of privacy' refer to in a medical context?

In a medical context, 'invasion of privacy' specifically refers to the act of revealing personal information about a patient without their consent. This can include disclosing details regarding a patient’s health status, treatment history, or any sensitive data gathered during the course of medical care. Maintaining patient confidentiality is a fundamental principle in healthcare, protecting individuals' rights and ensuring trust in the patient-provider relationship. When personal information is shared without permission, it violates ethical standards and legal regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which safeguards against unauthorized disclosures of health information.

Other options, while related to aspects of healthcare, do not encompass the definition of invasion of privacy. Sharing medical records can sometimes be appropriate under certain circumstances with proper consent. Conducting medical procedures and providing patient care are standard practices that do not inherently involve privacy violations unless personal information is mishandled during these processes.