The issue of violation of patient boundaries by the medical profession is not a widespread topic of debate and discussion. However in this section we have collated a number of resources and links to other websites that may help to further your knowledge on the matter. In particular we have included resources from other countries where clear rules and procedures govern misconduct.
Learning From Others:
Other countries have been more progressive in their moves to prevent violation of boundaries. This does not mean that it has been eradicated but their acknowledgment of the problem and definition of acceptable behaviour does place a clear marker in the sand.
• Clinic for Boundary Studies (UK)
• Health Professions Council (UK): Protecting the Public, regulating health professionals
• Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (UK): Clear sexual boundaries between healthcare professionals and patients: responsibilities of healthcare professionals
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing (USA) – Professional Boundaries Guide
• The Nursing Centre (Australia) – Nurses Guide to Professional Boundaries
• Clinic for Boundary Studies (UK) Code of Ethics
• College of Physiotherapists Ontario: Mandatory Reporting Obligations Sexual Abuse of Patients
• Lapid, Maria, M.D., Moutier, Christine, M.D., Dunn, Laura, M.D., Green-Hammond, Katherine, Ph.D., Weiss-Roberts, Laura, M.D., M.A. Academic Psychiatry, “Professionalism and Ethics Education on Relationships and Boundaries: Psychiatric Residents’ Training Preferences”, 33:6, November-December 2009
The Professional-Patient Relationship:
• Arch Fam Med Editorial “The Management of Troubling Feelings Toward Patients” Vo. 8 May/June 1999
• Medics probe boundaries of doctor-patient relationship. This is a brief media report on a presentation by Dr Carol Nadelson to the 10th annual International Conference on Jewish Medical Ethics in1999. Dr Nadelson, psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, has written extensively on the issue of Doctor-Patient relationships. This article, albeit brief, raises some interesting questions.
• Sex on the couch: The therapists who abuse their clients’ trust
• Sexual Abuse Victims with Disability
Doctor-Patient Communication:
Although this article is written from a legal standpoint, it does raise interesting issues about how doctor-patient communication and the hierarchical relationship can impact on the patient and the quality of their treatment
• Let’s Talk: The Need for Effective Communication between Doctor and Patient – Richard P. McNamara, UCC Law Society:
This is by no means an exhaustive list – these are just some articles/guidelines that we feeling might be interesting/of use to you. If you have read other articles that are worth sharing with visitors to our site please feel free to e-mail them to us for review and addition to this list.