Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Figure 1.
Sexual misconduct typologies nested pie chart. The outer ring contains component behaviors of each inner ring code. The size of each radial slice on both layers represents the relative frequency of occurrences.
Tables
- Table 1.
Description of 94 Cases of Sexual Misconduct by ABFM Certified or Eligible Physicians, 2016–2022
Physician Characteristics Gender (Male) 93 (99%) Average age at time of action(s), with range 56 (29 to 88) MD 86 (91%) US grad 76 (81%) Years certified before action 17.5 (0.5 to 46) Type of Sexual Misconduct No physical presence 1 (1%) Sexual impropriety 3 (3%) Sexual relationship 14 (15%) Sexual relationship with controlled substance Rx or bartering 18 (19%) Assault/Unwanted physical sexual contact 51 (51%) Involved minors 7 (7%) Medical License Board Sanctions Reprimand/censure 8 (9%) Probation 22 (23%) Chaperone requirement 25 (27%) Loss of License 46 (49% Prescribed coursework 42 (45%) Required psychiatric evaluation or treatment 18 (19%) Prior SMB sanctions 21 (22%) Additional Consequences Criminal Convictions 13 (14%) Loss of Employment or Privileges 52 (55%) ABFM Actions Loss of certification 61 (65%) Loss of eligibility 33 (35%) Prior ABFM actions 14 (15%) Currently certified 11 (12%) Abbreviations: ABFM, American Board of Family Medicine; SMB, Sanctions Monitoring Board.
- Table 2.
Categories of Sexual Misconduct by ABFM Certified or Eligible Physicians, 2016–2022
Category Description Examples Communication that did not occur in person Electronicommunication (phone, social media, etc.) or other (postal mailing) with no physical presence with victim Physician made late-night phone calls asking patient personal information that was sexual in nature. Later texted an apology but continued to reach out to initiate an intimate relationship with patient Sexual impropriety In person behavior that consist of gestures, or expressions that are seductive, sexually suggestive, disrespectful of patient privacy, or sexually demeaning to a patient or employee/colleague Physician observed to ask patients inappropriate questions that were sexual in nature, such as commenting on the patient’s breast size Sexual relationship Repeated or ongoing sexual behavior with one or more patients, employee(s), and/or colleague(s) Physician engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a female patient on multiple occasions in his home, including kissing, oral sex, and vaginal intercourse Sexual relationship with additional behaviors Sexual relationship that is confounded by controlled substance prescribing, bartering, etc. Physician admitted to a prolonged, sexually intimate relationship with a patient to whom he also prescribed multiple controlled substances Unwanted sexual behaviors/Assault Unwanted physical sexual contact initiated by the physician. Any conduct with a patient that is sexual or may be reasonably interpreted as sexual. Also includes any cases that involved accusations of criminal sexual assault with or without conviction(s) During a visit for treatment of hypertension, physician fondled a patient’s breasts, put his hand down her pants and manipulated her external genitalia Minors Sexual misconduct involving minors Committed lewd acts upon children under the age of 16 Abbreviation: ABFM, American Board of Family Medicine.
