3

Trust is the foundation of the doctor-patient partnership. Patients should be able to trust
that their doctor will behave professionally towards them during consultations and not
see them as a potential sexual partner.

11
Some patients may be more vulnerable than others 3 and the more vulnerable someone
is, the more likely it is that having a relationship with them would be an abuse of power
and your position as a doctor.

The physical distance between the doctor and patient should be correct when a doctor and
patient talk. If this is not the case, a feeling of uneasiness can arise, which can lead to a serious
disturbance of the discussion.

Some patients may be more vulnerable than others 3 and the more vulnerable someone
is, the more likely it is that having a relationship with them would be an abuse of power
and your position as a doctor.

I think it is important to determine what condition the patient is in.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT. The most explosive issue in recent years has been the rise in the number
of reported incidents of sexual harassment or abuse of patients on the part of health
professionals. The two specialities that have studied the issue most carefully are psychiatry and
obstetrics-gynaecology. Most such incidents (about 85%) involve male professionals and female
patients; another 12% involve male professionals and male patients. The remaining 3% involve
female professionals.
Now that we know how important space is to a person it is important to know how to use them
in a work place. 1st thing, understand if you are invading someones space. Working in the
medical field you are almost bound to cross a persons personal space. It is important to
announce yourself that you will be moving in very close to the patients body. This will make the
patient feel more comfortable and calm with you. Always look and act professional to make
sure the patients trusts you to do what you need to and respect each others space and trust.
Touch is an extremely powerful bonding tool, but like most tools, it
cannot be used indiscriminately.
Though touch is a necessary component of diagnosis and healing in
medicine, it can be misunderstood. Physicians must be clear about why
touch is necessary

for example, there were several reported incidents of sexual

harassment or abuse of patients on the part of health
professionals. The two specialities that have studied the issue
most carefully are psychiatry and obstetrics-gynaecology