Hiya Bex,

Professionals (i.e., doctors, lawyers, CPA's) are held to a higher ethical standard when it comes to divulging information about their customers. The reason for this is because patients and clients place themselves in an extremely vulnerable position when they seek the expertise and services of a professional. It requires them to divulge extremely personal, sensitive, and private information. The relationship that is established -- the "bonding," if you will -- in that type of a relationship is considered rather sacred. Furthermore, the vulnerable position that a patient or client places himself/herself in is acknowledged and protected to a great extent by the "confidentiality" and "priviledged" doctrines. That's the very purpose of the Standards. Otherwise we'd have doctors and lawyers and CPA's all over the place divulging all kinds of information about people as was done here.

In my opinion, Dr. Heasham could have defended himself quite effectively without divulging all that he did. It's not as easy to defend oneself that way -- but it's the right way to do it.

Hugs,
SomedaySoon (Sharon)