Confidentiality, Consent and Capacity

The 3 Cs for UK Medicine Interviews

1. Confidentiality

Meaning:
Patient information must be kept private.

What you MUST know

  • Doctors should not share patient information without permission

  • Confidentiality builds trust, which is essential for good care

  • This applies to:

    • Conversations

    • Medical records

    • Social media (very important)

When confidentiality CAN be broken

You should know at least one exception:

  • If there is a serious risk of harm to the patient or others

  • If required by law

  • If the patient consents to information being shared

👉 In interviews, always say you would:

Share the minimum information necessary, with the appropriate professionals

Interview-safe phrase

“Confidentiality is essential, but it may be breached if there is a serious risk of harm, in order to protect the patient or others.”

2. Consent

Meaning:
A patient must agree to an examination or treatment.

Valid consent must be:

You should know these 3 key points:

  1. Informed – patient understands risks, benefits, and alternatives

  2. Voluntary – no pressure or coercion

  3. Given by someone with capacity

Consent can be:

  • Verbal

  • Written

  • Implied (e.g. holding out an arm for a blood test)

Important interview point

  • Patients have the right to refuse treatment, even if it could help them

  • Doctors must respect this, as long as the patient has capacity

Interview-safe phrase

“Consent must be informed, voluntary, and given by a patient with capacity.”

3. Capacity

Meaning:
Whether a patient can make a specific decision at that time.

Key things interviewers LOVE hearing

  • Capacity is decision-specific

  • Capacity can change over time

  • You must assume capacity unless proven otherwise

A patient has capacity if they can:

You don’t need to memorise wording, but know the ideas:

  • Understand the information

  • Retain it long enough to decide

  • Weigh it up

  • Communicate their decision

If a patient lacks capacity

  • Decisions should be made in their best interests

  • Least restrictive option should be used

  • Family may be consulted, but doctors decide, not relatives

Interview-safe phrase

“Capacity is decision-specific and can fluctuate, so it must be assessed each time.”

How Interviewers Test the 3 Cs

They rarely ask:
❌ “Define confidentiality”

They usually ask:
✔ Ethical scenarios
✔ MMI roleplay
✔ “What would you do if…?”

Example scenario logic

If stuck, use this order:

  1. Check capacity

  2. Ensure consent

  3. Respect confidentiality

  4. Escalate to a senior if unsure

Saying “I’d seek senior support” is always a safe and mature answer.

What You DON’T Need

❌ Case law
❌ Exact GMC quotes
❌ Long definitions
❌ Adult vs child law detail (unless asked)

One Perfect Summary Line (Gold for Interviews)

“As a doctor, I’d respect confidentiality, ensure informed consent, and assess capacity carefully — always prioritising patient safety and seeking senior guidance if unsure.”

If you want, I can:

  • Walk you through common MMI scenarios using the 3 Cs

  • Help you answer confidently without sounding rehearsed

  • Test you with real interview-style questions

Just say 👍

yes please do

Perfect 👍
Let’s do real UK medicine interview / MMI practice using the 3 Cs. I’ll guide you step-by-step and then show you what interviewers are listening for.

Practice Scenario 1 (Very Common)

Scenario

You are a medical student on placement.
A 16-year-old patient asks you not to tell their parents about a diagnosis that could affect their health.
What would you do?

How to Structure Your Answer (3 Cs Framework)

1⃣ Capacity

  • A 16-year-old may have capacity

  • You should not assume they lack capacity because of age

  • You’d consider whether they understand the situation

Say something like:

“I would first consider whether the patient has capacity to make this decision.”

2⃣ Consent

  • If they have capacity, their decision matters

  • They have the right to decide who knows their information

Say:

“If they understand the risks and implications, I’d respect their wishes.”

3⃣ Confidentiality

  • Confidentiality should be respected

  • Unless there is a serious risk of harm

Say:

“I would maintain confidentiality unless there was a serious risk to their safety or others.”

4⃣ Safety Net (Very Important)

Interviewers LOVE this part 👇

Say:

“I’d encourage them to involve a trusted adult, explain the benefits of parental support, and seek guidance from a senior doctor.”

Model Answer (Interview-Ready but Natural)

“I’d first consider whether the patient has capacity to make this decision, as capacity isn’t based purely on age. If they demonstrate understanding and can weigh up the information, I’d respect their decision and maintain confidentiality. However, if there were concerns about serious harm, I’d need to involve appropriate professionals. I’d also encourage them to involve a trusted adult and would escalate the situation to a senior for guidance.”

This hits all 3 Cs + patient safety + professionalism.

Practice Scenario 2

Scenario

A patient refuses a life-saving treatment.
What should you do?

👉 Your turn.
Try to answer using:

  • Capacity

  • Consent

  • Respect

  • Safety

Type your answer and I’ll give you specific interview feedback (what to keep, what to improve, and how to sound more confident).