Confidential Treatment of Doctor CEO Information

An orthodontist client recently inquired about advisors in general and my position regarding whether the doctor could anticipate that the discussion with a consultant is confidential. Here is a portion of my reply with some modifications for the use on this blog. "I appreciate receiving your inquiry. This is an important question particularly given doctor's practices becoming ever more prominent in their market areas and so potentially more vulnerable. In my case, all my conversations are confidential unless, for example, two doctors indicate that they want to have me serve as the facilitator to help them develop their relationship and work through written terms. In that case, when I talk with one about a term(s) I will email or call the other to keep the process moving until the next three way conference call takes place. So, unless you request me to share our discussions, you can be assured that our conversation is private. But note, in providing a consulting service there are no specific rules of confidentiality. I must say however, if I shared confidences in the very small community that is, in this case orthodontics, I would not be practicing in this my 26th year!" In short, be careful with your confidential information and know who you are discussing your affairs with. Don't just assume that your confidences will be kept, instead just as this wise doctor did, ask and discuss your expectations regarding confidentiality.