11/16/2023 0 Comments Medical chaperone blogRecognizing the sensitive nature of the clinical encounter, the AMA Code of Medical Ethics makes it the responsibility of physicians to respect the dignity of their patients by providing “a comfortable and considerate atmosphere for the patient and the physician.” This effort, it goes on to note, should include providing gowns, privacy for undressing, sensitive use of draping for patients and making medical chaperones available. “As soon as a question arises about your conduct, especially in the era of social media, it is generally assumed that something inappropriate occurred.” “An allegation of misconduct can permanently tarnish your reputation as a physician,” Eidenberg states. In 2019, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) found that 251 out of 1638 disciplinary actions against physicians were for “sexual misconduct,” but some of those cases involved colleagues or trainees, not patients. “Patients may not feel comfortable speaking up until years later, after they have had time to process things emotionally,” says Peter Eidenberg, an attorney specializing in medical malpractice defense with Keating Jones Hughes in Portland, Ore.Īnother reason is that the term “sexual misconduct” does not always refer to the same type of event. It is difficult to estimate how often physician-patient sexual misconduct takes place, partly because allegations may be delayed. Sexual misconduct, or a mere allegation of sexual misconduct, can be a career-ending event for healthcare professionals. Misunderstandings can occur in the course of medical practice, and in the post-#MeToo era, something a physician intends as medically appropriate contact can be misconstrued as a sexual advance. The healthcare setting often involves sensitive and intimate exams that present challenges other businesses don’t face.
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