Physicians Disciplined for Sex-Related Offenses
Christine E. Dehlendorf, BSc; Sidney M. Wolfe, MD
JAMA. 1998;279:1883-1888.
Context. Physicians who abuse their patients sexually cause immense harm,
and, therefore, the discipline of physicians who commit any sex-related
offenses is an important public health issue that should be examined.
Objectives. To determine the frequency and severity of discipline against
physicians who commit sex-related offenses and to describe the
characteristics of these physicians.
Design and Setting. Analysis of sex-related orders from a national database
of disciplinary orders taken by state medical boards and federal agencies.
Subjects. A total of 761 physicians disciplined for sex-related offenses
from 1981 through 1996.
Main Outcome Measures. Rate and severity of discipline over time for
sex-related offenses and specialty, age, and board certification status of
disciplined physicians.
Results. The number of physicians disciplined per year for sex-related
offenses increased from 42 in 1989 to 147 in 1996, and the proportion of all
disciplinary orders that were sex related increased from 2.1% in 1989 to 4.4%
in 1996 (P<.001 for trend). Discipline for sex-related offenses was
significantly more severe (P<.001) than for nonsex-related offenses, with
71.9% of sex-related orders involving revocation, surrender, or suspension of
medical license. Of 761 physicians disciplined, the offenses committed by 567
(75%) involved patients, including sexual intercourse, rape, sexual
molestation, and sexual favors for drugs. As of March 1997, 216 physicians
(39.9%) disciplined for sex-related offenses between 1981 and 1994 were
licensed to practice. Compared with all physicians, physicians disciplined
for sex-related offenses were more likely to practice in the specialties of
psychiatry, child psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and family and
general practice (all P<.001) than in other specialties and were older than
the national physician population, but were no different in terms of board
certification status.
Conclusions. Discipline against physicians for sex-related offenses is
increasing over time and is relatively severe, although few physicians are
disciplined for sexual offenses each year. In addition, a substantial
proportion of physicians disciplined for these offenses are allowed to either
continue to practice or return to practice.
From the Public Citizen's Health Research Group, Washington, DC. Ms
Dehlendorf is currently a medical student at the University of Washington,
Seattle.