Confidentiality of medical records

While the public is often told that medical records are kept confidential, the number of doctors, nurses and medical students accessing the records freely makes such assurances doubtful.

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_568923.html

My views

It is difficult to keep medical records confidential, when they are paper based. If the medical records are kept in electronic format, it is possible for the patient to mark certain records as "private" so that it cannot be seen by other health care providers. Furthermore, it is easy to trace who has accessed the record and if the access is for a valid purpose.