Ethics of dating a former patient

Introduction - To the besotted poet, love is intoxicating, exasperating, invigorating. In contrast, nearly one third are more nuanced in their view. Ethicists, such as Dr. Many make the important distinction that the intimacy or longevity of the professional relationship plays a large role in determining the ethics of the personal one. Not every patient interaction with a physician is emotionally deep, nor is there an innate imbalance of power.

During my last job, one of my regular patients and I seemed to hit it off I was pleasant and friendly, but kept it professional. I definitely felt the tension and I think we both knew there was some chemistry there. At the time, I was working in a field that I would not consider terribly invasive, nor unusual relationship such as psychiatry, just a typical office. I am no longer at that practice and have no intention of returning, nor do I live in the area of my practice or know anyone in common with this former patient, no complicating factors. I would really like to reach out and contact her I know as far as the A.

Until now, the General Medical Council has discouraged doctors from having relationships with former patients deemed vulnerable at the time they were being treated, and it continues to ban them with current patients. The watchdog has now issued new guidelines clarifying the risks doctors need to consider before embarking on a romance with a former patient, such as taking into account that some patients can be more vulnerable than others. However, a number of senior doctors have warned that dating former patients is "flawed" and risks undermining the public's trust in the profession. The guidance, issued yesterday, tells doctors they still cannot initiate 'sexual' or 'improper' relationships with current patients, but says they can date former patients, as long as they give "careful consideration" to certain factors.

In the United Kingdom, the General Medical Council changed its stance on physician and former patient relationships in , 2 although it updated its guidelines to include factors that physicians should consider before embarking on such a relationship. Some physicians feel that context is key: for example, primary care physicians regularly see their patients, rendering a relationship inappropriate. Of less concern may be a potential relationship between an emergency or specialist physician who the patient may see only once. An article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on the topic 4 addresses the question of a physician who is the only practicing physician in a rural area and whether or not it would be unethical for a person in that position to begin a romantic relationship with a patient in the community.