Which principle is most closely associated with the ethical requirement of confidentiality?

The principle most closely associated with the ethical requirement of confidentiality is autonomy. Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own lives and to maintain control over their personal information. When healthcare providers respect confidentiality, they honor the patient's autonomy by allowing them to make choices about their own health and the sharing of their information.

By ensuring that a patient's medical information remains private, healthcare professionals empower patients to engage fully in their care, knowing that their sensitive information will not be disclosed without their consent. This respect for privacy is foundational to building trust in the patient-provider relationship, as patients are more likely to share pertinent information when they feel confident that their confidentiality will be upheld.

While beneficence (the principle of doing good), veracity (truthfulness), and justice (fairness in treatment and resource distribution) are all important ethical principles in healthcare, they do not directly relate to the requirement of maintaining confidentiality in the same way that autonomy does. Therefore, autonomy is the principle that best encompasses the ethical obligation to protect patient confidentiality.