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ACOG Committee Opinion No. 373: Sexual misconduct.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 409 12th Street, Washington, DC 20090, USA.

The physician-patient relationship is damaged when there is either confusion regarding professional roles and behavior, or clear lack of integrity that allows sexual exploitation and harm. Sexual contact or a romantic relationship between a physician and a current patient is always unethical, and sexual contact or a romantic relationship between a physician and a former patient also may be unethical. The request by either a patient or a physician to have a chaperone present during a physical examination should always be accommodated regardless of the patient's sex. If a chaperone is present during a physical examination, the physician should provide a separate opportunity for private conversation. Physicians aware of instances of sexual misconduct have an obligation to report such situations to appropriate authorities.

Published 1 August 2007 in Obstet Gynecol, 110(2): 441-4.
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