dual obligation

dual obligation

A General Medical Council (GMC) (UK) term referring to the two-fold obligation by a doctor to both the patient and to third parties (e.g., insurers and employers) to disclose information, which requires that the patient be informed of the third-party request for information; that written consent has been obtained from the patient or a person properly authorised to act on the patient’s behalf, or an officer of the government; that only the information requested has been disclosed; that the information is factual and can be substantiated; and that patients are entitled to see reports written about them.