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Law, ethics and medicine
Private or intimate relations between doctor and patient: is zero tolerance warranted?
  1. W Spiegel1,
  2. T Colella2,
  3. P Lupton3
  1. 1Department of General Practice, Institute of Medical Education, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
  2. 2Lainz Hospital, Vienna, Austria
  3. 3Social philosopher (retired), Bognor Regis, UK & Vienna, Austria
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr W Spiegel
 Department of General Practice, Institute of Medical Education, Medical University of Vienna, Thaliastrasse 102/9, A–1160 Vienna, Austria; wolfgang.spiegelmeduniwien.ac.at

Abstract

This article reviews and comments on the five categories of arguments used to defend zero tolerance with regard to sexual contacts resulting from the physician-patient relationship as summarised by Cullen. In addition it puts forward a hypothesis—“fear of loss by third party”—as a psychological explanation for the collective insistence on a zero tolerance policy.

  • PPR, physician-patient relationship
  • bioethics
  • sexuality
  • physician-patient relations
  • attitude of health personnel
  • professional

https://doi.org/10.1136/jme.2003.007385

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