Sexual Misconduct: Is Censure Enough?

Abstract

Although sexual relationships between medical practitioners and their patients have been forbidden by most professional and statutory bodies, the reported prevalence of sexual misconduct does not appear to have altered in the last 20 years. A recent Australian study has also suggested that psychiatrists are over-represented in comparison to others in the medical workforce. The reasons that may account for this finding are discussed, and issues which require further debate by the profession are outlined. These include the acceptability of post-termination relationships, the applicability of criminal statutes, the role of treatment in the management of offenders, and whether mandatory reporting of sexual misconduct should be considered.

The concept of appropriate professional boundaries in psychiatric practice: a pilot training course

“…In response to the problem, it is often argued that penalties must be harsher, regulations more stringent, and offending colleagues should be evicted from the profession [13,14]. Yet studies of transgressing therapists suggest that most of these people are not a group apart from the rest of the profession, but rather more like than unlike the rest of us [15].…”

The Concept of Appropriate Professional Boundaries in Psychiatric Practice: A Pilot Training Course

“…In response to the problem, it is often argued that penalties must be harsher, regulations more stringent, and offending colleagues should be evicted from the profession [13], [14]. Yet studies of transgressing therapists suggest that most of these people are not a group apart from the rest of the profession, but rather more like than unlike the rest of us [15].…”