Secrets and Their Consequences in Heathcare: A Scoping Review of Worker Experiences.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

To explore current knowledge of the nature of secrets healthcare consumers reveal to healthcare workers and the impact on the healthcare worker experience resulting from these private disclosures.

Design

Scoping review.

Data sources

Eight electronic databases were searched for studies published between 1980 and 2025 that met the inclusion criteria.

Review methods

Arksey and O'Malley's five-step methodological framework for scoping reviews guided this review. Petronio's Communication Privacy Management theory also informed the inclusion criteria.

Results

A total of 11,812 records were identified, and 76 studies were included. Four types of secrets emerged: (1) Medical concerns, (2) Sexuality, (3) Abuse and (4) Life choices and decisions. Healthcare w

SUBMITTER: Stewart K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12721927 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature