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

[laurakoko]

I guess now is a good as time as any to reveal MY story.....

A man broke his ankle, actually, his foot was in his shoe next to him, after a motorcycle accident. I ended up being the nurse that took care of him 4 out of a 8 day stay. There was no flirting, no NOTHING, just a nurse/patient relationship. He came back to the hospital about 3 months later, one day when I worked. He asked me for coffee, and my phone number. I did not do either. I thought, yuck, dating a patient, even a former patient...yuck. At the time, I did exchanged my temporary email address with him. About 6 months later, (now it has been a long time), he did an instant message thing, and asked me to dinner. A very persistent man...I finally accepted the offer. It took one date. Then I had realized, that man and I, were meant to meet each other. He is my soulmate. We were married a year later. Now we have 3 children, a wonderful marriage, and a friendship for eternity! Who would have known??? :)

[Nalini]

Awesome story there :) I agree with everyone that I think most of this is out of the question, but I don't think the stories about the nurses dating patients much later is a problem. As long as nothing happens while the patient is well.... still a patient :chuckle

Nalini

[Jo Anne -OLD]

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

and here it is:

[avahsmiles]

:uhoh21: What about an MD wanting to have sexual relations with his employee.:uhoh21:

[jbjints]

I honestly think that a patient-health care professional relationship is unprofessional.

[TinyNurse, RN]

great story that was told, but as a single girl, i choose to meet men other places than the patient/nurse relationship.

xo Jen

[Town & Country]

Obviously anyone with an ounce of professional integrity would not indulge in such behavior.

However.....the story laurakoko told isn't quite the same thing. She obviously wasn't "choosing" to have a relationship with a patient, for heaven's sake.

I'd say her conduct was above reproach. Congrats, laurakoko.

I did work at a LTC facility once where one of the nurses "got involved" with a resident. He had a pile of money.

I also know of a case where a nurse got involved with her patient (home health.)

Alot of this seems to happen when the patient is a quad or paraplegic in a WC and the nurse visits his home. I suppose outside of the hospital environment, some people get "more casual."

Ugh, I can't see it.

Unfortunately, with some (not all), but with some of these nurse:patient liasons, money has alot to do with it! Sad but true..........

[Ross1]

Important things for consideration:

Since I am a first semester student nurse, I am not yet fully familiar with all of the ethical and legal guidelines of nursing practice. So to answer the original question, I would want to know:

Does the ANA have a position on this?

What about the state's Nurse Practice Act?

Many helping professions including social work and psychology have the answer to this question spelled out directly in the Professional Code of Ethics. It is my understanding, though I am not 100% sure, that many professions have an actually timeframe as to when it considered ethical to begin a personal relationship with a former client. A friend of mine is a psychologist in private practice and he told me that per the ethical guidelines of his profession, he is not allowed to have any type of personal relationship with a client unless 3 (or 5) years have passed since termination of the professional relationship.

[2151]

IT IS WRONG!!!! JUST WRONG!!!!!