Sexual relationships with patients

[Tony35NYC]

I was reading this article about medical students who say they think its fine for healthcare professionals to get into sexual situations with their patients. The report goes on to say that relationships between doctors and patients are common, particularly in general practice, obstetrics, and psychiatry. I was shocked to read that so many healthcare professionals would do this because of the potential for lawsuits and the possibility of getting fired or having your license suspended on ethics issues. Not too long ago I read an article in a nursing journal that many hospitals wouldn't think twice to fire nurses who get sexually involved with patients but that they would more than likely turn a blind eye when the MDs do it. I was wondering what everyone's opinions are about this.

http://www.hotjobs.com/cgi-bin/porifice-file?TEMPLATE=/htdocs/channels/smpages/health_document-us.html&SMDOCID=pressassociation_2004_10_05_eng-pressassociation_health_long_eng-pressassociation_health_long_033319_5859799907403790919&SMContentSet=0

[hypnotic_nurse]

It's wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

Are you freaking kidding me? How could anyone possibly think it is ok to become sexually involved with a patient? In my mind, that is abuse, even if the patient consents.

[fergus51]

WRONG!!! Ew! Yuck! Gross.

[apaisRN, RN, CRNA]

I had a coworker who was dating a man she'd cared for after his lap appy. He called her after he went home. As far as I know they're still together. It's kind of cute, since the nurse-patient relationship was brief and clearly terminated.

[hypnotic_nurse]

I had a coworker who was dating a man she'd cared for after his lap appy. He called her after he went home. As far as I know they're still together. It's kind of cute, since the nurse-patient relationship was brief and clearly terminated.

I agree, in this instance it's not only OK, it's pretty cool. :)

In psych, though, at most facilities even a simple friendship between pt and caregivers is discouraged outside of the therapeutic relationship, much less anything else.

I worked for a facility where a pt and caregiver (NOT A NURSE) had such a relationship, and the pt deteriorated (which is precisely WHY it's discouraged) and the caregiver was fired and lost a license.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

YUCK!!!!!

[sharann, BSN, RN]

It's so great to know the quality of students that will graduate and attain positions of power...NOT!!! It doesn't say the breakdown of male to females in the survey though, but I can only guess. PAthetic I tell you.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I'm with everyone else - double YUCK!!!! Not to mention that in my ER rarely do my patients bathe or brush their teeth before coming to visit!

[shay]

This is when a barf smiley would come in handy. Nasty.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

I checke out the actual article.

Four out of 10 medical students believe having a sexual relationship with a patient can be justified.

Not should be , would be or could be but can be - interesting choice of qualifier

Despite many high profile cases before the General Medical Council involving doctors becoming sexually involved with their patients, many students still appear to believe there are situations where it should not be forbidden.

Cases where it should not be forbidden - hmmmmmm - I wonder what the original question was?

I am not saying that the conclusion - that there should be greater emphasis on medical ethics is not correct - I just would like to see the original research that this article is based upon.

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

I just can't see it as being okay. But then again if you meet someone staying for a day or two in the hospital and you strike up a friendship during that time ...I can see how some may continue that relationship outside if a connection was made.