privileged communication (redirected from privilege)

privileged communication

[priv′ilijd]

a legal term used in court-related proceedings concerning the right to reveal information that belongs to the person who spoke. It may prevent the listener from disclosing the information without the permission of the speaker. Privileged communication may exist between a patient and a health professional only if the law specifically establishes it.

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communication,

n the technique of conveying thoughts or ideas between two people or groups of people.

communication, privileged,

n the class of communications between persons who stand in a confidential or fiduciary relationship to each other that the law will not permit to be divulged in court. Examples of confidential relationships are those of psychiatrist and patient and attorney and client. Confidentiality of communications depends on the law in each state.

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privileged communication

Forensic medicine Communication between a psychotherapist or a physician and Pt which is protected from public disclosure, unless the therapist is legitimately concerned that criminal acts against others could be committed, and could be prevented by disclosure of said communication to proper authorities. See Privilege, Tarasoff v Regents of the University of California.