Confidentiality and Professional Boundaries

Living and working in a rural community presents additional challenges in maintaining confidentiality.  Typically, rural communities are smaller in population and that increases visibility.  For example, a person’s car parked outside of the clinic identifies them as a user of the service.  You may encounter family members or friends of the client who enquire about their friend.  It is important that you think about strategies to ensure that you maintain the confidentiality of the client and all the information that you gather when providing a service to the client.

It is likely that you will have an out of work connection to clients and your Clinical Educator (e.g. seeing people at the supermarket, sporting teams, and social occasions like the races).  Again, you need to be especially aware of your relationship with your clients and supervisor.  It is alright to relax and be social but it is important that you maintain your professional standards and image.  Discuss with your Clinical Educator how they manage this issue.