Revised Medical Board of Australia guidelines on sexual boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship took effect on 12 December 2018. The updated guidelines apply to all registered medical practitioners in Australia and define the standards of ethical and professional conduct expected of doctors by the Board, their peers and the community.
The guidelines emphasise trust as the cornerstone of good medical practice and remind doctors that it is never appropriate to engage in a sexual relationship with a current patient. The updated guidelines feature a new section on social media.
Read the full guidelines here.
The release of the updated guidelines is timely in light of a recent finding of professional misconduct by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in respect of a Victorian doctor who engaged in a sexual relationship with a current patient.
Dr Haifi saw the patient regularly over the course of 18 months. After initial contact on social media, Dr Haifi and the patient exchanged text messages and met in person. The two engaged in sexual activity on multiple occasions.
Dr Haifi was reprimanded under the Health Practitioner National Law (Victoria) Act 2009. His registration as a medical practitioner was suspended for two months and made subject to several conditions requiring him to undertake an education program approved by AHPRA.
Read the full decision here.