No doctor safe from false accusations of sexual misconduct

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Medicolegal

No doctor safe from false accusations of sexual misconduct

Gaeline Phipps

Wednesday 23 October 2024, 12:25 AM

Factors that increase the risk of a sexual misconduct allegation include performing a more thorough examination than a patient is used to [Image: Kaboompics.com on Pexels]

Wellington barrister Gaeline Phipps reviews patient factors behind false allegations of sexual misconduct by doctors, with tips on how you can work more safely

Key points, A variety of factors may lead patients to make (unfounded) allegations of sexual misconduct against doctors, including past experience of sexual abuse, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

Medicolegal

References

1. Bismark MM, Studdert DM, Morton K, et al. Sexual misconduct by health professionals in Australia, 2011-2016: a retrospective analysis of notifications to health regulators. Med J Aust 2020;213(5):218-224.

2. Sederer LI, Libby M. False allegations of sexual misconduct: clinical and institutional considerations. Psychiatr Serv 1995;46(2):160–63.

3. Paterson R. Independent review of the use of chaperones to protect patients in Australia. February 2017.

4. HDC. Consent for examination of genitals (98HDC20422). 10 April 2001.

5. Kamau-Mitchell C, Bin Waleed K, Gallagher MM. Global meta-analysis of physicians' experiences of workplace sexual harassment by patients. Intern Med J 2024;54(10):1760–64.

6. WHO. Occupational hazards in the health sector.

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