There was an ethical & legal situation that occurred early in my health care career that involved an unauthorized access of one of the physician's personal medical record by an employee. A physician's personal medical record is also considered private patient data. The hospital policy prohibits unauthorized access to sensitive patient medical information. considering the above scenario answer the following question:

which canadian laws are used to handle such a situation?

The section should identify the area of law that is relevant to the problem question and clearly?

describes the legal problem(s) that need to be addressed in the above given scenario?

which act of canadian health care act addresses the given problem and how?

provide reference for further understanding

Hi good day! Interesting questions.

Canadian laws are used to handle unauthorized access to personal medical records with the use of Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).

• It set out rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information by health information custodians (custodians) and their agents. Custodians are persons and organizations, such as health care practitioners and hospitals, that have custody or control of personal health information for purposes related to the delivery of health care. Agents are person, such as employees, independent contractors, physicians with privileges and volunteers who act on behalf of custodians in respect of personal health information.
• (PHIPA) permits custodians to collect, use and disclose personal health information for the purposes of providing or assisting in the provision of health care based on implied or assumed implied consent but prohibit the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information for any other purpose without the express consent of the individual, unless permitted or required by PHIPA. PHIPA requires custodians to take steps that are reasonable in the circumstances to ensure that personal health information in their custody or control is protected against theft, loss and unauthorized use or disclosure and to ensure that the records containing personal health information are protected against unauthorized copying, modification or disposal.

Area of law that is relevant to the problem question and clearly?

• Yes. The Personal Health Information Protection Act is an in-depth piece of legislation designed to address very complex issues concerning the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information by health information custodians.
• Individuals are very concerned about how their Personal Health information is collected, used, and disclosed. They expect their healthcare providers to protect this information and not to use or disclose it, intentionally or inadvertently, for purposes not related to their care and treatment. But, at the same time, it is generally understood that some information is needed to manage our publicly funded healthcare system, for health research and other purposes that have social value.
• Family members, the Law Enforcement Community, medical officers of health, and others may also have a legitimate need to access Personal Health Information, under limited and specific circumstances. 

Describes the legal problem(s) that need to be addressed in the above given scenario?

• The Act sets out rules to balance different interests in circumstances where the needs of other parties may affect or conflict with the individual's Right to Privacy. The object of the rules is to maximize both the benefits of Respecting Privacy and the benefits of collecting, using and disclosing Personal Health Information for purposes that go beyond the care and treatment of the individual and socially beneficial. The Act is divided into nine parts, each dealing with a different topic. These include:

1. Interpretation and Application
2. Practices to protect Personal Health Information
3. Consent concerning Personal Health Information
4. Collection, use and disclosure of Personal Health Information
5. Access to records of Personal Health Information and correction
6. Administration and Enforcement
7. General;
8. Complementary amendments
9. Commencement and short title

Which act of canadian health care act addresses the given problem and how? 

Reference: (Canadian Healthcare ACT/Personal Healthcare Information Protection Act or PHIPA)

• The Act defines a Health Information custodian. Seven broad categories of Health Information Custodians are included. For example, healthcare practitioners, long-term care service providers, community care access corporations, hospitals and other facilities, pharmacies, laboratories, a medical officer of health or a board of health, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and others are specifically included in the definition.
• It is important to note that Healthcare Practitioners include anyone who provides health care for payment, whether or not the services are publicly funded. Under the Act, considered agent with respect to Personal Health Information includes

1. They are authorized to act on behalf of a custodian
2. They perform activities for the purposes of a custodian rather than your own purposes;
3. whether or not they have the authority to bind the custodian;
4. whether or not they are employed by the custodian and;
5. whether or not they are receiving remuneration

Step-by-step explanation

• In General, the Act will provide individuals with more control over how their Personal Health Information is collected, used, and disclosed by Health Information custodians. With some exceptions individual will be able to access and request correction of their own Personal Health information. 
• The Act also applies to the use and disclosure of personal health information by those persons who receive personal health information from Health Information Custodians. Those who perform services on behalf of a health information custodian are defined as agents. Agents of health information custodians are also required to follow the Rules set out in the Act.