Sensitivity to patient modesty and dignity must be maintained at all times.
While some licensees have adopted a more informal approach to patient interactions, such as use of first names for both patients and the licensee, this may blur boundaries and result in later misunderstandings.
Licensees should recognize that misunderstandings regarding boundaries may occur at any time during a patient encounter, but particularly during disclosure of private information by the patient about symptoms, prior personal experiences, or during the physical examination.
The Board offers the following guidelines to assist licensees in reducing the possibility of such misunderstandings. It is the position of the Board that respect, empathy, and sensitivity to the vulnerability of patients are needed at all times during a patient encounter in order to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to charges of boundary violation or sexual misconduct against licensees.
8.4: Licensee Interactions with Government Agencies and Legal Proceedingsīack to List 2.2.2: Guidelines for Avoiding Misunderstandings During Patient Encounters and Physical Examinations Categories: 2.2: Special Issues in Patient-Licensee Relationships.
8.3: Licensee Promotion & Marketing Practices.
7: Licensees & the Health of the Community.
5: Guidance on Procedures and Treatments.
3: Privacy, Confidentiality, & Medical Board Records.
2.2: Special Issues in Patient-Licensee Relationships.