Which of the following best describes the term "patient confidentiality"?

The term "patient confidentiality" primarily refers to the principle that a patient's personal health information must be kept private and can only be disclosed with the patient's explicit permission. This principle is foundational in healthcare and is governed by laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. Patient confidentiality ensures that individuals can seek medical care without fear of their private information being shared without their consent, thus fostering trust between patients and healthcare providers. The ethical and legal obligations to maintain confidentiality are crucial for protecting patient autonomy and privacy.

Other options suggest either unrestricted access to patient information by healthcare providers, documentation in public records, or disclosure upon government request, all of which lack the necessary emphasis on patient consent and privacy protections inherent in the concept of patient confidentiality.