The policy lists 11 prohibited acts, and those who violate the rules could lose their licenses.
Doctors allowed to date former patients
Opponents also say the new rules could allow innocent medical providers to be accused of wrongdoing. Other health professionals already operate under sexual-misconduct rules similar to the new policy for doctors and physician assistants. The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only, and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.
By Seattle Times staff. The Associated Press The state medical board has adopted a sexual-misconduct policy that includes a ban on doctors dating patients, despite objections from lawyers and a doctors group.
The Medical Quality Assurance Commission has considered such a rule for about six years. No personal attacks or insults, no hate speech, no profanity. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate this thread by reporting any abuse.
Sexual relationships between doctors and former patients
Patient groups welcomed the change, saying it was about time the watchdog moved into "the 21st century". Joyce Robins, of Patient Concern, said: Some senior GPs, however, have previously warned that such relationships are always problematic. This is the only profession of which a member can ask a person to take their clothes off and find the request usually met with few questions and no resistance.
In an earlier interview with GP magazine Pulse, he said: It is vital proper boundaries are maintained in relationships between doctors and patients. However, Dr Tony Grewal, a senior GP who practises in West London, said the watchdog "should not limit the capacity of two consenting adults to explore a relationship". Dr Grewal told Pulse at the time: In , a poll of GPs by Pulse found that half wanted the rules to be changed to allow them to have relationships with former patients, while 2 per cent admitted they had begun relationships with patients they were still treating.
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