Medic Falls For Patient...dilemma

[CokeTulip]

Say a senior medic wants to date one of his patients - under what circumstances is this possible (ethically)?

Patient leaves and goes to be treated elsewhere? Could he date her then?

Would the medic have to make his employers aware?

Anyone know what the rules are regarding this? Thank you.

[Sqad]

Coke.......I presume that this "patient" is not married..........;-)

If so, then this is not thought of as ideal by the medical fraternity, but not against the Law.

If she IS married............

[CokeTulip]

Neither married.
Professional boundaries at risk I feel if medic continues to treat the patient.

Its no big deal in the grand scheme of things and I bet lots of this happens in secret all the time -but I dont know how they get around it as the cat will be out of the bag at some point or they get found out.

Same situation if a solicitor wants to date a client but that might be trickier as client could be criminal & could have career implications! Could be interesting thought! and I wonder what they do.

[CokeTulip]

Sqad... I can see the headlines "Doctor falls over patient" ....

[msmonkeybird]

the General Medical Council is clear on this: 'You must not use your professional position to pursue a sexual or improper emotional relationship with a patient or someone close to them.' [http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/good_medical_practice/respect_patients.asp]

The British Medical Association have additional advice on this:

http://bma.org.uk/-/media/Files/PDFs/Practical%20advice%20at%20work/Ethics/Medical%20Ethics%20Today/updatechapter1june2013.pdf

Doctors must not drop a patient in order to pursue a relationship with them.

Some medics (psychiatrists, paediatricians) whose patients are considered vulnerable should not embark on a relationship with a patient.

However, if the patient decides to see a different doctor, it seems this breaks the professional obligations.

Of course if your friend is not a doctor he won't be regulated by the GMC anyway...

[pixie373]

It would also depend what they were being treated for (morally, anyway). Ear infection- change your doctor. Complex mental health illnesses- maybe not.

[anneasquith]

what is a medic ? do you mean a doctor ?

[CokeTulip]

Thats really clear Msmonkeybird & thanks all.
medic in this is a surgeon so applicable. Thought as much.