How should interns maintain professional boundaries with patients?

Maintaining professional boundaries with patients is crucial in the healthcare field to ensure a safe and respectful environment for both the intern and the patient. Respecting patient confidentiality and autonomy is the cornerstone of establishing these professional boundaries. By upholding confidentiality, interns protect sensitive health information and foster trust, allowing patients to feel secure in sharing their concerns. Additionally, respecting patient autonomy involves acknowledging the patients' rights to make informed decisions about their care, thus promoting a sense of control over their health outcomes.

The other options suggest actions that blur professional boundaries. Engaging in personal conversations or becoming friends with patients can lead to complexities in the professional relationship, potentially compromising objectivity and leading to ethical dilemmas. Providing personal contact information similarly invites inappropriate interactions and could undermine the professional integrity essential in patient care. Therefore, respecting patient confidentiality and autonomy is the best approach for maintaining professional boundaries.