Circle of Care Model

Health professionals know the importance of quality care and the delivery of health services provided. For many health professionals, their scope of practice is regulated through governing bodies who apply legislation (law) to ensure protection in the interest of the public. For example, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 18 in Ontario outlines the regulations which the governing bodies implement. Governing bodies are often referred to as colleges, such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSO).  The governing body of MRTs in Ontario is the College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario. MRTs have the duty and responsibility to protect health information and support client safety.

Providers of health services recognize how services are regulated and ensure protocols and procedures are in place to comply with standards of care. Legal issues arising in the health care environment can often be attributed to poor communication management leading to undesirable outcomes. Patient-centred therapeutic communications provide for shared decision making, understanding of common goals, and supports the engagement of the patient and their families. This chapter will focus on legal matters relevant to the health care environment and considerations involving the role of the MRT.

The “circle of care” is considered the group of healthcare providers treating a patient who share information to provide that care. The concept of the circle of care allows the sharing of patients’ health information between healthcare providers who are providing care to that patient, without seeking the patient’s express consent every time information needs to be exchanged. This allows for the provision of clinical information to colleagues when consulted (Canadian Medical Protective Association, 2021).

The circle of care model extends to include sharing information, consent, information sharing with the family, leaving information on voice mail, and third party requests for information. The MRT should be mindful to operate within the circle of care model throughout the therapeutic relationship, involving others outside the circle of care is considered a direct violation of this care model and can be considered a privacy breach of information as discussed further. Consider a privacy breach as a breaking of the trust assigned to members within the health care environment.