Which statement best describes ethical boundaries when a physician and patient engage in a sexual relationship?

Which statement best describes ethical boundaries when a physician and patient engage in a sexual relationship?

• A. It is exploitative; professional ethics require termination of the relationship.
• B. It is permissible if the patient initiated the relationship.
• C. It is permissible if it benefits care.
• D. It is acceptable if not reported.

Answer: (B)

Sexual relationships with a patient undermine the patient’s welfare and the trust essential to medical care. The physician–patient relationship involves a power imbalance: the patient depends on the physician for treatment, guidance, and judgment, which creates a risk of coercion or exploitation in any sexual interaction. Because of that, professional ethics prohibit sexual activity with current patients and require the physician to terminate the current relationship and refer the patient to another provider if boundaries have been crossed. Initiation by the patient does not resolve this concern, and the notion that it could benefit care or remain unreported also conflicts with the obligation to protect the patient and maintain professional boundaries. The proper course is to end the physician–patient relationship and ensure the patient receives care from a different clinician.

Sexual relationships with a patient undermine the patient’s welfare and the trust essential to medical care. The physician–patient relationship involves a power imbalance: the patient depends on the physician for treatment, guidance, and judgment, which creates a risk of coercion or exploitation in any sexual interaction. Because of that, professional ethics prohibit sexual activity with current patients and require the physician to terminate the current relationship and refer the patient to another provider if boundaries have been crossed. Initiation by the patient does not resolve this concern, and the notion that it could benefit care or remain unreported also conflicts with the obligation to protect the patient and maintain professional boundaries. The proper course is to end the physician–patient relationship and ensure the patient receives care from a different clinician.