Doctor-patient confidentiality was a medical and legal concept used in many cultures, especially in the Federation. It held that information regarding an individual's medical condition and any related communications are protected from being divulged by the doctor to any third party without the patient's consent. This applied to any third party, but especially to police agencies or other forms of authority, such as Starfleet. In 2152, Malcolm Reed asked if Phlox would respect doctor-patient confidentiality prior to discussing his gastrointestinal distress. (ENT: "The Catwalk")