Wow, dont know what to say
 

Just curious what you guys would do.

Monday I had a mole removed by my primary doctor.

Yesterday we were out of town all day and some friends of ours wanted us to pick up some cupcakes while we were there, so we did (OMG, side tracking for a second but it is from this cupcake place that only sells cupcakes... I was thinking 'oh come on... cupcakes? how can cupcakes be THAT good?' We bought some for ourselves and OMG HEAVEN!! SOooo yummy)
Anyways... so on the way back home we call our friends and ask if they want the cupcakes then or wait till the next day. They say they are at my PCP's house (they are friends with him and I knew this) and so to just do it on the way home. THEN our friends ask how my hand is doing....

So I didnt tell them that I was even planning on having it removed. They could have only found out because my PCP told them he saw me and took the mole off.
Talk about breach of confidentiality. I am a nurse and could be fired for doing something like that.

Now I dont plan to get him in trouble because I like him and he meant no harm and I dont care that my friends now know, but it is still a serious serious matter. What would you do? I am still unclear how I should let him know that it wasnt ok etc...

Wow, that is a tricky situation. I'm not really sure how I would handle that.

I would be royally po'd! I can't even believe he did that! I don't care if they know you or not he had no right and I'd be letting him know. Kinda makes you wonder how much other stuff he doesn't keep to himself.

Honestly? I wouldn't make much of it. I don't think real harm was done.

Honestly, I'd fire him as my doctor. For me it wouldn't matter what the circumstance was, it's simply unacceptable for any medical professional to share my information with anyone for any reason. He may not have meant harm, but he did breach a major tenet of medical professionals everywhere.

Also, I think the bigger question is, if he's done this to you, who else is he sharing information about, and with whom?? Let him know how this disturbed you, Kim. He needs to know.

That would make me very mad and I would definitely say something next time I went in ... or maybe even call before my next appt. It's completely inappropriate.

It may seem harmless because they are your friends. But my mom is in the medical field and I can tell you...you need to make a big deal out of it. That is a MAJOR breach of confidentiality. I would call and schedule and appointment to speak with him ASAP. Considering he should know the law, he should know just how big of a deal you could make of this! I would speak to him and let him know that is never okay with you. I would make note of the day and time and of any important things that happened in the converstaion. Just in case it should happen again.

I sometimes act hastily in the heat of the moment, BUT.. KIM...
OMG.. You absolutely HAVE to say something, that is agains HIPPAA violation.
That is SOOO unprofessional, and RUDE.
I dont know that I would switch Dr's, if you really like him, because once you confront him, Im sure he will be more careful then EVER, because he will know that his little slip up could cost him his job.
But WOW, im mad for you!

I agree. As much as it's a "no harm done" kinda thing, it's still a HUGE deal. You definitely need to talk to him about it.

That is a total violation of HIPAA, which is a HUGE deal in the medical field. I would definitely address it.

Oh I definitely agree he needs to be told, I am just a very nonconfrontational person and dont know how I should do this.

I work today so I am going to ask one of the docs I work with how they would want it handled if they were my doc (not using his name or details... just in gerneral) But I am definitely saying something to him. I dont think I will go as far as firing him.

WOW!! ever heard of HIPAA?!?! thats craziness...i would def say something.

I agree that you should def confront him, thats nuts. Im sorry you have to worry about that kinda thing. I am very non confrontational so I know how hard it can be, esp when you really like someone.

Yeah, I dont' think you can just "let it go" I mean, technically there was no harm done, but you need to make it clear that, in the future, he is not to discuss your medical relationship to ANYONE. Even if they are your friends. I'd just say something like.... "This friend mentioned to me something about you removing my mole and I would appreciate it if you didn't discuss anything medical related about me to anyone, even if they are our mutual friends".

Because, if he's talking about you, who else is he talking about? HIPPA is a big deal in the medical community and its TERRIBLY concerning that he doesn't seem to take it seriously. He is a doctor, first and foremost and he needs to remember that.

Yeah I agree with most everyone...he needs to be made aware of what he did wrong...

I agree too, good luck Kim!!!!

oh wow! I hope the doc you talk to gives you some advice on how to handle it!

now, can I ask you about having your mole removed? my hubby has one he needs removed! ;)

If you are 100% sure that he is the source, then I would totally say something to him. This incident may not be that big of a deal, but what happens when something leaks out that you really don't want to share with anyone?

I had a mole (technically a blue nevus) on my hand and the edges started to blur a bit. My doc decided that because I am fair skinned that we should have it removed and biopsied.

He numbed the area and then took a cookie cutter type tool (called a punch) and kind of took a core sample of it.. but it took the whole mole off too. Because it was so small he didnt put a stich or two in it like they normally would.

I worked for a primary doc and watched her perform these all the time. They do it a number of ways. They can freeze it off like a wart... but you dont get a biopsy if you do it this way. They can "shave" it off. Basically they shave the mole to the skin line and they can biopsy that way... and if they need to remove more of it after they get results they can. With a punch they remove the whole thing and biopsy it. If it comes back as something bad they can can tell from the biopsy if they got it all or if they need to go back and remove more.

Mine is prob nothing, but he wants to be safe.

I totally agree with everyone else! That is beyond wrong! Let us know how it all goes!

I'd be seriously ticked off.