Boundaries in Search of Boundaries: Establishing Parameters for Physician Sexual Misconduct

Abstract

Sexual boundary violations by physicians are receiving increased public awareness as a result of disturbing, high-profile cases of abuse and assault. In the area of sexual relations with current patients, rules prohibiting such conduct are both clear and justified. In contrast, rules governing sexual relations between physicians and former patients and between physicians and the relatives of patients vary considerably among jurisdictions and among specialties in an illogical and often unjust patchwork. This article calls for a reassessment of such rules with an emphasis on consistency among jurisdictions, uniformity among specialties, and an operationalizable system for permitting some such relationships in a manner that balances the goals of protecting vulnerable parties and upholding their autonomy.