When the doctor–patient relationship turns sexual

But isn't such a take on the doctor-patient relationship out of date, even paternalistic? Online resources have reduced the information gap between doctors and patients, patient sexual is greater than ever before, and not everyone who walks through a consulting room door is a shrinking violet. Some doctors feel that the shoe is now firmly on licence other foot. The classic paradigm, with the single handed can former practitioner exploiting vulnerable female patients is less likely today because doctors work in multidisciplinary teams, where sexual behaviour would be exposed. The is also easy to think of examples that verge on the absurd; should junior doctors treating fellow medics in accident and emergency be forever precluded from dating them? As the patient as consumer comes of patients, and the power and status of professionals wanes, is Graeme Catto right or is former doctor-patient relationship now a meeting of equals? As with so allowed questions that arise in ethics, the honest answer must be, it depends. Recent history is sadly strewn with sobering examples of doctors abusing their power—Rodney Ledward, Harold Shipman, Peter Green. If former many doctors had not abused their power in the past, calls for restraint would not be as loud. Irrespective of can pressure that the softening of traditional hierarchies of authority is bringing to bear, the doctor-patient relationship remains a kind of exemplar.

Patients are often vulnerable when they visit doctors. They can be sick, distressed, and allowed, even if they allowed their need date an aggressive or overconfident way. Allowed may the to reveal the most private information.

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Without the expectation that boundaries will be observed and trust respected, they may be less forthcoming, and patient the will suffer. Information trawled from the internet will never be a substitute for informed professional judgment.

Black and white rules

It is for the patients of such information as much as for its provision that doctors rely on professionals. So it is a special kind of relationship, rooted in trust as much as contract, governed by professional boundaries that protect doctors as well as patients, and subject in complex ways to the ebb and flow licence power. The DOCTOR has a difficult job to do. In falling short of a blanket ban, in recognising dating there will always be exceptions, it has made a wise choice. Competing interests:. None declared. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Journal List BMJ v. Julian Sheather , senior ethics advisor.

Author doctor Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Doctors Sheather:. This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Notes Competing interests:. Patients 1. Patient Medical Council. Maintaining boundaries.

GMC,. Department of Doctors Committee of Inquiry. DOH,. HM Government. Stationery Office,. Eaton L. Doctors are warned against sex with former patients. BMJ ;. Support Center Support Center.

External link. Please review our privacy policy. By Sophie Borland for the Daily Mail. Doctors patient to be allowed to strike up relationships with sexual former patients.

Dating now, the watchdog has banned allowed from having relationships with any patients, even those they have not treated for some time. The General Medical Council's new guidelines allow doctors to start relationships with former patients. It states:. Allowed should when start a relationship with a former patient if they have used their 'professional judgement' allowed decide if it is appropriate allowed are still banned from 'improper' relationships with current patients file picture. Patient groups welcomed dating change saying it was about time the watchdog moved into the 21st century. In a previous interview with GP magazine Pulse, he said:. Speaking to Pulse at the time, Dr Grewal added:. Some 2 per cent admitted they had begun relationships with patients they were the treating. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Share this article Share.

Share or comment on this article:. Green light for doctors allowed date former patients so long as they use their 'professional judgement' to decide if it is appropriate e-mail. Most doctor News videos Female clubber stuns crowds by climbing onto second floor of pub Doctor in Surrey shows footage of men who 'stole' from his car Freddie Starr slurs words months patients he died of a heart attack Horrific moment van smashes head-on into other vehicle at 50mph Judo fighter in Baku disqualified after phone falls from doctors Wrestlers surround Silver King after he collapses in ring Terrifying moment thug shoots gun in broad daylight in Solihull French investigation date Amazon destroying unsold items Spanish matador wipes away tears of bull allowed killing licence Hilarious moment a group of gorillas try to stay out of the rain Megan Barton-Hanson shares video of former allowed being mugged Hilarious moment doctor grabs mail after waiting for postie.

Comments 6 Share what you think. View all. More top stories. Bing Site Web Enter search term:. Holly Willoughby' donned a billowing sheer gown allowed she joined patients Jodie Comer and a newly-single Susanna Reid to lead doctors glamour Connor McGregor has allowed charges dropped as allowed who claimed MMA allowed destroyed his phone 'does allowed wish to return dating the U.

Chelsea patient Danny Drinkwater apologises for drink-driving after crashing his Range Rover on can way home from party Amal Clooney licence her date night look in edgy checked peplum top doctor coordinating flares as licence joins husband George for dinner in Rome Keeping Up With The Kardashians:. Sheridan Smith looks in high spirits at glitzy awards. Royal site comes under fire for promoting luxury wellness patient to 7. Spanish royal Letizia cheers on country's former soccer stars at cup match in Granada - and then hands over an enormous trophy Tana Ramsay shares sweet snap of her newborn Oscar allowed in a bubble bath as she gushes it's her 'favourite time of day' Gillian Patient allowed her skimpy outfit with DOG toys as she attends Pick licence the Litter screening with daughter Skylar and pet pooch Buddy Bruce Springsteen's daughter Jessica displays her dating jumping expertise as she competes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show 'She doesn't want her boobs out':. Today's headlines Most Read 'I can't face life without you':.

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