Allowable alerts: Can doctors document sexual abuse history?

+Practice
In print
Medicolegal

Allowable alerts: Can doctors document sexual abuse history?

Medicolegal_Abuse
Physical examinations can be very triggering for people with a history of sexual trauma [Image: Susan Wilkinson on Unsplash]

Wellington barrister Gaeline Phipps looks at patient history of sexual abuse as a risk factor for false sexual misconduct allegations against doctors, then provides guidance on what information can be included in patient records

Key points, Patient history of sexual abuse puts doctors at increased risk of false allegations of sexual misconduct. Doctors are allowed to document abuse hist, Pract Green w Pale Yellow