Abuse of the Doctor-patient Relationship

The doctor-patient relationship is fraught with risk. Patients may be at risk from a doctor who misuses their position of authority, or who is unclear where the appropriate boundaries lie. Doctors risk disciplinary or criminal proceedings when this happens. This book aims to address these risks, to assist clinicians in their daily relationships with patients and to improve patient safety.

The authors examine the ethical principles and how these may be taught; prevalence of abuse; regulation and sanctions; management and governance; remediation; and the roles of the different organisations that may be involved, such as the General Medical Council and medical protection societies.

A multidisciplinary approach makes this book useful for doctors and medical trainees, especially general practitioners and gynaecologists, as well as all mental health professionals, nurses, social workers and their teachers and students. Health service managers and regulators, and their legal advisers, will also find this indispensable.

Fiona Subotsky is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist with a special interest in risk, systemic abuse and women's mental health. She was the officer of the Royal College of Psychiatrists responsible for liaising with the Kerr/Haslam Inquiry.
Susan Bewley is a consultant obstetrician at St Thomas' Hospital, London, and has a research interest in violence against women.
Michael Crowe is a consultant psychiatrist specialising in sexual and relationship therapy.