Information Disclosure

The dictionary meaning of the word information is facts or knowledge provided or learned about something or someone. The meaning of disclosure is the act or process of revealing or uncovering. Thus, information disclosure means revealing or uncovering facts or knowledge about something, someone, or both. Furthermore, disclosure of information may relate to various aspects of living and nonliving materials, such as property, including intellectual property (patent), personal information, research findings, general and personal health information, patient safety incidents, a sensitive diagnosis (e.g., cancer, prognosis of a disease process), death, and organizational policies. Different countries and organizations follow different guidelines, acts, and policies to disclose or share information. Information disclosure should follow certain principles and rules, and be open and honest and easy to understand.