MDU Advises Hospital Doctors On Avoiding Dangerous Liaisons, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 08 Nov 2009 - 0:00 PST

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Doctors who have been the subject of an amorous advance from a patient recognise that although such approaches may be flattering, they can often be embarrassing and occasionally even sinister. It may be difficult to know how best to deal with the situation but help is at hand in the new issue of Ward Round, a journal for foundation year doctors, published today by the MDU, the UK's leading medical defence organisation.*

The MDU previously revealed that over a three year period it had opened around one file every month from members who were worried about a patient's amorous advances, while many more members had sought help through the MDU telephone advisory service.

Dr James Armstrong, who wrote the article explained: "This can be an extremely tricky area for doctors. An amorous offer from a patient may on occasions prove tempting, but most doctors understand there are few, if any, situations where it can be appropriate to combine a professional and a sexual relationship with a patient, and it could result in the doctor being asked to justify their actions before the GMC. Even when a doctor's professional relationship with a patient has long finished, intimacy may still be inappropriate depending on the nature of the previous professional relationship, when that relationship ended and whether the patient was or is particularly vulnerable."

Dr Armstrong continued: "When the patient's feelings are not reciprocated, great care must still be taken to respond appropriately and not to inflame the situation. Our general advice is for the doctor to gently but unambiguously ask the patient to stop, explaining that because of the professional relationship between doctor and patient, any other type of relationship is not possible. This often has the desired effect, particularly if done at an early stage. However, if the patient persists, we advise members to keep a log of all calls and contacts, retain the originals of letters and contact the MDU for assistance as soon as possible."

Elsewhere in Ward Round, MDU medico-legal experts advise doctors on the role of chaperones in clinical practice. Plus, there is the second in a series of articles on preparing for the CT/ST interview by Olivier Picard, Managing Director of interview skills coaches, ISC Medical. MDU members receive an exclusive 20 per cent off the company's books and courses.

Reference

* Keeping love at bay by Dr James Armstrong appears in Ward Round, November 2009, Issue 2, Volume 2. The Journal is available free to MDU members at http://www.the-mdu.com and copies can be sent to journalists on request.

Source
MDU