Emergency Medical Services (EMS) play a critical role in the healthcare system, providing immediate care to individuals in life-threatening situations. The ethical principle of confidentiality, a cornerstone of healthcare that extends to prehospital care settings. This scoping review seeks to explore the importance of confidentiality in EMS, its ethical implications, and the factors influencing its application.

A scoping review was conducted using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. A literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The search terms included “EMS,” “emergency medical services,” “confidentiality,” “ethics,” and “ethical considerations.” The inclusion criteria for this review were empirical studies, review articles, and ethical considerations in EMS and confidentiality-related guidelines. 

Exclusion criteria included studies that were not related to EMS and confidentiality as well as studies that did not address ethical considerations in EMS.

The findings reveal that confidentiality in EMS is a multifaceted concept influenced by a variety of ethical, legal, and practical considerations. The review identified four key themes that shed light on the significance of confidentiality in EMS such as legal and ethical frameworks, patient privacy and dignity, trust and healthcare relationships and practical challenges in EMS settings.

In summary, this scoping review underscores the critical role of confidentiality in EMS and the multifaceted nature of the ethical considerations involved. A better understanding of the significance of confidentiality in prehospital care can inform the development of guidelines, policies, and training programmes to enhance the ethical conduct of EMS providers. 

Further research is needed to explore specific challenges and strategies for upholding confidentiality in diverse EMS settings, ultimately ensuring the best possible care for patients while respecting their privacy and respect.

Dr. Khin Thandar Aung is a distinguished academic and researcher who has recently earned her Ph.D. from the Faculty of Education at the University of Malaya, Malaysia. Her specialization lies in instructional design within the realm of e-learning, a field of paramount importance in the digital age.

Currently, Dr. Khin holds the position of a nursing lecturer at the Critical Care Nursing Department within the Faculty of Nursing at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Her role at IIUM underscores her commitment to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals with a focus on critical care, where her expertise and knowledge are invaluable.

Dr. Khin's prolific research career is marked by an impressive body of work, comprising over 40 publications including book and chapter in book. Her contributions to academia and healthcare have not gone unnoticed, with her work being cited over 200 times. This remarkable impact is reflected in her publication h-index of 8, attesting to the significance and influence of her research within her field.

In addition to her research endeavors, Dr. Khin Thandar Aung is actively engaged in the scholarly community. She serves as an editorial board member and a diligent reviewer for several esteemed journals. Her dedication to advancing the field of nursing and e-learning through research and academic contributions is a testament to her commitment to excellence in education and healthcare.