What action should a physician take if approached about a patient by someone not involved in the patient's care?

In the context of patient confidentiality and privacy, the correct action for a physician when approached about a patient by someone not involved in the patient's care is to share no information at all. This approach aligns with the principles outlined in laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects patient information and restricts the disclosure of health-related details to individuals who do not have a legitimate need to know, such as other healthcare providers involved in the patient's treatment.

Maintaining patient confidentiality is essential to ensure trust in the healthcare system and to protect patients from potential discrimination or stigma that could arise from unauthorized disclosure of their health information. By refusing to provide any details about the patient, the physician upholds their ethical obligation to safeguard the patient's privacy, regardless of the inquirer’s relationship to the patient. This response is necessary even if the inquiry is about basic information, as any exchange can potentially breach confidentiality.