<p>A friend once told of difficulties she had with her son in college due to the above. He was sick in the infirmary and asked her to pick up the antibiotics he needed, but because they hadn’t waived some sort of confidentiality agreement, the university’s medical staff wouldn’t share any information regarding his condition or medication with her, even though he requested them to.</p>
<p>I’m gathering these are agreements in place to protect students’ privacy. Are they more a help or a hindrance? Do most people sign on or off on them?</p>
<p>My daughter, who has a chronic illness, waived her medical confidentiality with health services at her college (this was handled at her orientation). She’s also made sure she’s waived it with our hometown family doctor and her rheumatologist; once the kiddos are 18, confidentiality is assumed (as Opie pointed out, due to HIPPA).</p>
<p>they hadn’t waived some sort of confidentiality agreement, the university’s medical staff wouldn’t share any information regarding his condition or medication with her, even though he requested them to.</p>
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<p>the medical staff - at the request of the student - should have shared the info with the parent - and the appropriate form should have been made available at that time if needed - the medical staff erred in this case - dumb</p>
<p>I’m gathering these are agreements in place to protect students’ privacy. Are they more a help or a hindrance? Do most people sign on or off on them? </p>
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<p>They can be a hinderance if not signed/done in advance at a school. We ran into a problem when my gal - away at school - was in the ER - she did sign the form - and when I called for info - all of a sudden they could not find it - nor would they share info - as she stood in the parking lot crying when they discharged her - she was upset for a good reason - cuz she could not drive!! uugghhhhh</p>
<p>good advice so far … and a little ground setting. The schools are not trying to be pains in the butt they are following the law. When a student turns 18 they are considered an adult legally and their medical records are private and can only be released with their permission. My parents have the same legal rights to my medical records now that I am 48 that they had when I was 18 … and I believe that is a good thing. There are waiver processes to allow parents access to medical records but the students (the legal adult) must grant this right … and the school must be able to find the waiver in an emergency.</p>
<p>Do any of you fear that a student, having signed a waiver, might opt to not get tested/treated out of fear that the parent would be informed? Now, granted, that student could revoke the consent (just as a student could invoke consent at the point of service), but sometimes fear of parent disappoval can get in the way of a student seeking medical/psychological care. I suggest that this be something you discuss with your student in advance.</p>