Applied within a psychotherapeutic team, extended confidentiality (also known as “shared confidentiality”) is a special operating principle that extends the traditional confidentiality obligation between an individual therapist and patient to the entire treatment team.

What exactly does this mean?

  1. The basis of traditional confidentiality Normally, the exchange of information between therapist and patient is strictly confidential. The therapist may not share information about the patient with third parties without the consent of the patient (or, in the case of minors, the legal representative), except in situations of serious danger (for example, danger to themselves or others).
  2. Introducing extended confidentiality in the team:

Authorisation: Before work with the patient (or with the parents, in the case of a minor) begins, they are informed that information relating to the case will be shared within the entire treatment team. For this, the patient/parents must give written consent. Without it, extended confidentiality cannot be applied. At Murmo, this is authorised at the start of the process by means of the consent form.

Why is it needed? In the case of a patient struggling with complex, multifaceted problems, especially in child and adolescent psychiatry, or at Murmo in the programmes of the Pro Juventa Foundation for chronic, complex problems or during the diagnostic phase, several professionals (e.g. child psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, art therapist, music therapist, special education teacher, social worker) often work together. For treatment to be coordinated, effective and comprehensive, the professionals need to know about each other’s work, the patient’s progress, the difficulties that arise and the effects of the various therapeutic interventions.

“Thinking together”: Extended confidentiality is what makes “thinking together” possible within the team. This means that in case discussions professionals can share information with one another, analyse the patient’s condition from the perspective of their own field, develop strategies together and coordinate the treatment plan. For example, an art therapist may notice non-verbal signs that could help a psychiatrist fine-tune medication, or a psychologist may recognise family dynamics that affect the outcome of special educational support. At Murmo, this takes place in regular weekly team meetings, in shared treatment notes and during daily consultation time.

The aim: In every case, to serve the patient’s interests as fully as possible. The flow of information within the team helps ensure that the patient receives the most comprehensive and accurate care possible, avoiding unnecessary repetition or contradictory advice.

Important considerations:

  • Limited circle: Extended confidentiality applies ONLY and EXCLUSIVELY to members of the Murmo team, all of whom are bound by professional codes of ethics and confidentiality rules. No information may leave the team without the permission/knowledge of the patient/parents. 
  • Informing the patient/parent and obtaining consent: This is the most important ethical principle. The patient (and the parents) must know exactly with whom and for what purpose their data is shared. If they do not consent, team discussions must be conducted in a way that makes the patient harder to identify, or the effectiveness of treatment may be reduced.
  • Building trust: We hope that communicating extended confidentiality transparently helps build trust between the patient and the team, as the patient feels that their care is holistic and coordinated.

In summary, extended confidentiality applied in an expert psychotherapeutic team is a principle that, with the patient’s consent, allows relevant information to be shared among the professionals involved in treatment, with the aim of providing the patient with the most coordinated, effective and safe therapy possible.

If you find that this is not happening during the treatment of your problem at Murmo, please first let the colleagues involved in the assessment or treatment know.