GP suspended after harassing patient when he ended the relationship
Wednesday, 12 July 2023
Key messages from the case
Having a sexual relationship with a current patient is always unethical and harmful. Even if the relationship is consensual it has the potential to harm the patient and interfere with their medical care. Blurring the boundaries of a therapeutic relationship can impair the doctor’s professional judgement, as this case illustrates.
Details of the decision
Boundary violation
Dr D was treating Mr C for depression, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.
Mr C met Dr D privately outside the medical practice to seek her support for an education project relating to his experience of depression. They began a personal and sexual relationship that continued for about 5 months.
When Mr C terminated the relationship with Dr D she continued to contact him by text message. She made derogatory and belittling remarks including that he was impotent and unable to sexually satisfy her. Eventually Mr C lodged a complaint.
Treating family and friends
Dr D did not refer Mr C to another practitioner when they began a relationship. Medical records indicate she continued to provide medical care to Mr C while they were in a relationship.
She accepted that she should have referred him to another practitioner and that failing to do so was unprofessional.
Outcome
Dr D admitted that her behaviour amounted to professional misconduct.
The tribunal accepted that Dr D’s judgement at the time was compromised due to her own mental health issues. However, the boundary violation was aggravated by her sending belittling and derogatory text messages – conduct that the tribunal denounced as “disgraceful”.
Dr D and the Medical Board agreed on proposed sanctions, which the tribunal accepted as appropriate. Dr D’s registration was suspended for 6 months. She was reprimanded and required to undertake mentoring and education on boundary violations and practising with an impairment.
Key lessons
It is never appropriate to have a sexual relationship with a current patient, even if you believe the relationship is consensual.
Wherever possible avoid treating those with whom you have a close personal relationship except in an emergency.
Be aware of your own health and wellbeing. Having relationship problems, feeling personally or professionally isolated, being under stress or unwell may make you more vulnerable to boundary breaches. Take active steps to seek professional support – for example ensure that you have your own GP, find a mentor or peer support network.
References and further reading
Avant factsheet: Boundary issues
Medical Board of Australia Guidelines: Sexual boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship
Avant article: “But it’s just a script”: prescribing requests from family and friends
Avant factsheet: Treating family members, friends or staff
More information
For medico-legal advice, please contact us on nca@avant.org.au or call 1800 128 268, 24/7 in emergencies.
Disclaimers
The case discussed in this publication is based on a real case. Certain information has been de-identified to preserve privacy and confidentiality. The information in this article does not constitute legal advice or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. It is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on matters of interest and it is not intended to be comprehensive. You should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of its content.
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