To the Editor: Perhaps for reasons of space, Tobin et al, in their article on community versus individual benefit,1 have omitted an important public health justification for confidentiality. If patients are fearful that the doctor's obligation to notify the authorities could lead to a loss of privileges (in the case cited, a driver's licence), they may fail to attend for diagnosis and treatment. This understandable anxiety warrants a mention in this debate.
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- 1. Tobin MT, Leeder SR, Somerville ER. Community versus individual benefit. Med J Aust 2002; 176: 279-280. <eMJA full text>