Problem:
A patient's son comes in to your office demanding copies of his mother's medical records. When looking at the medical record, you notice that the mother has not granted permission for her medical records to be released to her son. He states that his mother's worsening dementia gives him the right to see the records so he can help her with her medications and care.
What should be done in this situation? Should he be given the information? What laws are in place to protect the patient? Are there any viable reasons that the son should have access to the medical record?