How should confidentiality be preserved when sharing case examples for training or publication?

• A. Anonymize identifying details and obtain informed consent from clients or ensure consent for case materials.
• B. Use real names to preserve accuracy.
• C. Share without consent as long as it is for training.
• D. Publish only de-identified data with no consent.

Answer: (A)

Preserving confidentiality when sharing case examples hinges on two pillars: removing identifying details and obtaining informed consent. Anonymizing information means stripping out names, exact dates, locations, unique circumstances, and any details that could link the case to a real person. This reduces the risk of re-identification while still allowing training or publication to convey useful clinical insights. At the same time, obtaining informed consent from the client (or their legally authorized representative) ensures they understand how their material will be used, who will access it, and the potential for identification despite anonymization, as well as their right to withdraw consent. If consent cannot be obtained, materials should be heavily de-identified, or alternative approaches like composite or fictionalized cases should be used, often with ethics review where appropriate. This combination—careful de-identification and explicit consent—best upholds confidentiality and professional ethics, whereas using real names, sharing without consent, or publishing with no consent can compromise client privacy and trust.