Patient privacy refers to the right of individuals to keep their personal health information confidential. This includes details about their medical history, treatment plans, and any other sensitive data. Healthcare providers, such as doctors and nurses, are required to protect this information to ensure that it is not disclosed without the patient's consent. Laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States set strict guidelines for how patient information should be handled. These regulations help safeguard patient privacy by limiting access to medical records and ensuring that any sharing of information is done securely and ethically.