The MDU said Valentine’s Day and easy access to medical professionals via social media, may prompt someone with amorous feelings for their doctor to take things a stage further. Patients may send a gift, contact the doctor via Facebook or Twitter, or making a tentative advance during an appointment. In rare cases, matters may take a menacing turn with the doctor becoming a victim of stalking, harassment or vexatious complaints.
In a recent 10-year period, the MDU opened over 700 advice files relating to boundary issues, over half involving GPs. And a survey of 180 female Australian GPs found that more than half (54%) had experienced harassment by patients[1]. This ranged from inappropriate gifts or sexual remarks to requests for inappropriate examination or inappropriate exposure of body parts, touching or grabbing.
Dr Claire Macaulay, MDU medico-legal adviser, said:
"Most people wouldn't associate passionate feelings with the consulting room but there are a few patients who misinterpret a doctor's behaviour and try to move the professional relationship on to a more romantic footing. Access to medical professionals via social media can also lead to blurred boundaries and certain websites like yourdoctorboyfriend.com may seem like harmless fun but could lead to doctors becoming the target of unwanted advances.
“The best way for doctors to avoid becoming the object of a patient’s inappropriate affections is for them to maintain clear professional boundaries with patients and be wary of sharing personal information during appointments.
"If a patient behaves inappropriately, such as presenting a doctor with an unexplained gift or making suggestive comments, it is important they don’t ignore it as the person may assume the doctor doesn’t object. Doctors should politely but firmly ask them to stop, making clear that the relationship is strictly professional. It's important to keep a record of this conversation.
"In the majority of cases, this will have the desired effect and the patient will keep future contact on a professional level. If the doctor continues to have concerns however, he or she should seek advice from their medical defence organisation as in some circumstances, it may be necessary to contact the police."
The MDU has issued the following tips to help doctors avoid unwanted attention this Valentine’s Day or during the rest of the year[2]:
• Avoid sharing personal information during consultations or online.
• Do not accept friendship requests from patients on Facebook.
• If a patient makes amorous advances, log all contact with them, including any inappropriate behaviour and gifts received.
• Tell the patient politely but firmly that their advances are unwelcome and that you are unable to accept any gifts or pursue any kind of personal relationship with them.
• Consider the use of a chaperone when treating the patient, if the patient agrees.
• Seek support from colleagues, while always respecting patient confidentiality.
• Consider asking whether a colleague can take over the patient’s care. However, bear in mind you may still be obliged to treat the patient in an emergency.
• If you feel that your safety or that of others may be threatened by the patient’s behaviour, you might decide to involve the police. However, you should not divulge any confidential clinical details about the patient without the patient’s consent, unless this would be justifiable in the public interest.
Notes:
[1] Sexual harassment by patients forces doctors to alter their practice, BMJ, 15 January 2014 http://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g118
[2] The MDU's full Valentine's advice is available at: www.themdu.comhttp://www.themdu.com/guidance-and-advice/latest-updates-and-advice/be-on-your-guard-against-valentines-advances