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  • Title: Medical discipline and sexual activity between doctors and patients.
    Author: Cullen RM, Northwood BR.
    Journal: N Z Med J; 1995 Nov 24; 108(1012):481-3. PubMed ID: 8538976.
    Abstract:
    AIM: The Medical Council of New Zealand has adopted a policy which presumes that any sexual contact between a doctor and patient is unacceptable. This 'zero tolerance' approach will presumably form the basis of disciplinary investigations and charges. METHODS: All 412 Auckland general practitioners on the indicative register were surveyed by mail, and asked to indicate into which disciplinary category each of six scenarios fell. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-five (40%) completed forms were received. Sixty-two percent of respondents did not believe a disciplinary offence was committed when a sexual relationship developed after a general practitioner invited a patient to meet her at a bar for a drink, as long as the patient was then advised to seek the services of another general practitioner. CONCLUSION: Under New Zealand law a disciplinary tribunal merely transmits the standards of an accused doctor's colleagues. It is argued that a simple qualitative survey demonstrating that colleagues do not regard an action as meriting disciplinary action may provide a complete defence to any charge.
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