Hey, here's a question that I'm sure hobbyists have wondered about.  Is it safe to admit to your doctor or shrink that you hobby, i.e. visit providers?  In particular when consulting one for a urology-related issue or for work stress and such.  What will the doctor or shrink do in response?  Does the patient put himself in legal harm's way by admitting to hobbying?  My main concern is that a self-righteous type might view hobbying as "danger to himself" and overreact.  Of course, the safest course of action is to say you pick up civvies in bars every weekend, even if you're a 40-year-old man with a receding hair line and a beer belly.  That's what I always did.  But I can't help but wonder.  So, any thoughts?

Yes

They would understand, and may even give you pointers!
 Kisses  
Frederica

Health professionals have to keep what you tell them confidential. There are a few exceptions, of course. So legally you are safe but the unfortunately the relationship between yourself and your healthcare provider might change when you reveal that information

it is still a hit or miss so my suggestion with a PCP is to test the waters before full disclosure; until you get a sense of comfort or trust. I started with vague statements with mine and later and as I gained more trust and felt safe I was able to be more frank. He is very helpful and non-judgmental.  

I have a Doc who is also a friend. I tell it like it is, and we work together to help me be safe as possible.  

Doctors are legally bound by cofidentiality ( hippa and other privacy laws).  

I was honest with the doctor when I told him I have had 30 sexual partners when I saw him last week of December before insurance changed. The therapist knows about me meeting with providers and understands to a certain degree. Granted my originally therapist didn't want to hear my sex stories so she refereed me to someone who did. A therapist is great to talk I know a few providers who talk to a therapist as well so it's not as uncommon as you might think.

First of all I direct my own care, using specialists to help me when needed.  I see a cardiologist and urologist and rarely a gastroenterologist and I ==of course-- know what I do and arrange for tests the results of which I am the only one to see.  
If you are involved in any legal dispute (malpractice done by another physician to you, damage done to your health in an accident, divorce where you claim at your age you can not give your about to be ex what she wants. You hit a child crossing the road and that child's family claims you were not fit even to be driving. In any of these, and many others, your medical records are available to the opposition. When this happens, the records are available to your enemies and the physician you see can be forced to give a deposition.  In any of these, you're vulnerable.

Tell them you are gay.  

In a simple case of STD testing by your regular physician, I would expect the fact that you were tested to be documented in her/his records, your medical insurance records, and in The Cloud.  

here is strict patient/client confidentiality. Which isn't 100% iron-clad, I mean nothing in life is. But 99.99999% of people in 99.9999% of all instances should be abel to feel completely safe and comfortable talking about paying for sex ... with their therapist. That is WHY you pay them.

but in this new era of Obamacare with a million quite intrusive questions being asked the answers to which will follow you around for a lifetime in this digital era we live in, I don't know if I would be so quick to answer truthfully anymore.

So my point still stands. In 99.999% of the cases, you should be able to feel completely comfortable and safe talking with your therapist about your P4P activities.

This was a big one!

When I gave up booze a few years ago  I worked with a shrink on it. He stuck around for a few years and gave me some needed help with the divorce.

That admission will be charted in your medical and/or psychiatric record. The privacy protection you statutorily enjoy is ilimited at best and practically non-existent at worst.  Do not tell a medical or mental health professional anything you can't risk being discovered by others.

to keep abreast with health issues and helps me to keep things discreet from my health care provider. He knows how healthcare works and lets me get free regular healthcare screenings for free.  So in my opinion being honest will get you more informantion and help.  But you need to have a doctor you trust and can confide in.
 
Frederica

...you are asked if you have paid for sex with either money or drugs or if you have received money or drugs in exchange for sex.  It goes back to when people contracted HIV from donated blood.  As I recall, your answers are placed in a sealed envelope.  If you answered "yes" they discreetly dispose of your blood after you leave.  This saves you the embarrassment of not having to tell your co-workers in a blood drive why you were turned down.

Apparently you haven't been exposed to much family law.  Medical and psych records are routinely ordered opened in family cases when custody of children are an issue.  It happens EVERYDAY in courts all over this country.

One percent?

.. in a Midwest state.  In contested custody cases, 100% end up in court.  The medical and psych records always come in, genius.

No details beyond that are needed. Her first response was "I hope you use condoms", shuddering a bit as she said it. Her second response was to arrange a full panel STI test. Much blood was drawn, and I peed in a cup. By six months later when I asked for another, she had located a lab that performed all elements of the test, so only half as much blood was drawn for that. I have an awesome Doc.

In some job situations, you may have to submit to a background investigation, and typically, at least in my field, that requires that you sign a form releasing your medical records.  So, in that case, HIPAA and all of that stuff doesn't matter, because you've agreed to disclose whatever is in your medical file.