Sexual misconduct in the practice of medicine. Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, American Medical Association.

The American Medical Association's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs recently reviewed the ethical implications of sexual or romantic relationships between physicians and patients. The Council has concluded that (1) sexual contact or a romantic relationship concurrent with the physician-patient relationship is unethical; (2) sexual contact or a romantic relationship with a former patient may be unethical under certain circumstances; (3) education on the ethical issues involved in sexual misconduct should be included throughout all levels of medical training; and (4) in the case of sexual misconduct, reporting offending colleagues is especially important.