Strategies for preserving the confidentiality of psychological reports.

Describes strategies that appear to be effective in reducing breaches of confidentiality due to unauthorized dissemination of psychological reports. Strategies suggested include (1) clarifying the word "confidentiality," (2) not placing psychological reports in general medical records, and (3) insisting that forms authorizing release of information specifically name the psychology department or an individual staff member. It is concluded that operationally defining in the report itself how the report is to be treated is a complementary strategy that may help reduce breaches of confidentiality. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)