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Ethical issues in sexual misconduct by clinicians

T G Gutheil1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.

The Japanese Journal of Psychiatry and Neurology
|January 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Sexual misconduct by clinicians with patients is a clear ethics violation. It constitutes a breach of professional duty, abuse of power, exploitation, and undue influence, despite arguments about consent.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Ethics
  • Professional Conduct

Background:

  • Sexual misconduct by clinicians towards patients is a recognized ethical violation.
  • Such misconduct is subject to review by institutional and professional ethics committees.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the ethical implications of sexual misconduct in clinical practice.
  • To analyze the duties violated by sexual relations between clinicians and patients.

Main Methods:

  • Ethical analysis of clinician-patient sexual relationships.
  • Examination of duties derived from professional ethics.

Main Results:

  • Sexual misconduct violates professional ethics through fiduciary breach.
  • It involves abuse of power asymmetry, exploitation of patient vulnerability, and use of undue influence.

Conclusions:

  • Despite potential arguments regarding freedom of association and consent, sexual misconduct fundamentally violates ethical principles in clinical settings.
Keywords:
Mental Health TherapiesProfessional Patient Relationship

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