Previous
Healthy Boundaries Take Effort
Be familiar with professional boundaries and respect them.
Know the CPSO policy on mandatory reporting.
Know the CPSO policy on physician-patient dating.
Know the CPSO policy on professional responsibilities in postgraduate education.
Make opportunities to discuss the implications of these policies on your training and on clinical practice.
Model and reinforce professional behaviours during your training and reflect on breaches of professionalism in constructive ways.
Be ready to continue this discussion throughout training.
Although physicians have a legal and professional duty to keep information from a patient completely confidential, there are issues that must be reported to the CPSO. When a physician has reasonable grounds, obtained in the course of practising the profession, to believe that another physician or regulated health care professional has sexually abused a patient, the physician must file a report in writing, with the Registrar of the College to which the alleged abuser belongs. The RHPA (Regulated Health Professionals Act) was amended in 1994 where it became mandatory for all health professionals (physiotherapists, massage therapists as well as physician) to report sexual abuse of a patient/client. There is a fine of up to $35,000 if there is suspicion or knowledge of sexual abuse of a patient/client by another health professional and reporting is not done. Reporting must occur within 30 days of obtaining the information gave rise to the suspicion of sexual abuse.
Sexual Abuse of Patients
Sexual abuse of a patient is defined (Schedule 2 of the RHPA) as follows:
sexual intercourse or other forms of physical sexual relations between the member and the patient,
touching, of a sexual nature, of the patient by the member, or
behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by the member towards the patient.
Professional Boundaries ...
are the "limits that protect the space between the professional’s power and the patient’s vulnerability."
are a matter of context rather than content
may apply to the workplace climate as well as the professional/patient relationship
apply equally to teachers and learners
overlap into personal spheres - you are a professional always !
are defined by CPSO policies
_________________________________