Sexual Misconduct by Psychiatrists

Abstract

During the past decade there has been an increase in malpractice suits, ethical complaints, and even criminal charges against psychiatrists for sexual abuse of patients.¹ When a psychiatrist is publicly exposed because of such abusive conduct, it often turns out that a substantial number of his or her colleagues acknowledge (usually in confidence) that they had long known of this unethical conduct. Rarely do these colleagues recognize that they may have failed in their own ethical responsibilities. Section 2 of APA’s annotated Principles of Medical Ethics ² directs us to “strive to expose those physicians deficient in character or competence.” The sexual abuse of patients is an egregious manifestation of deficiencies in character and competence² Yet standing in the way of this affirmative ethical duty to expose such physicians is the equally important obligation to protect the confidentiality of patients.