RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sexual Misconduct by Board Certified Family Physicians
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 698
OP 705
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2023.230413R1
VO 37
IS 4
A1 Baxley, Elizabeth
A1 Dunahue, Shannon
A1 Koempel, Annie
A1 Anderson, Andrea
A1 Hansen, Beth
A1 LeRoy, Gary
A1 Magill, Michael
YR 2024
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/37/4/698.abstract
AB Purpose: Sexual misconduct by physicians is a consequential violation of patient trust. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and patterns of sexual misconduct by physicians certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).Methods: We described a cohort of current or formerly ABFM certified physicians (“Diplomates”) disciplined for sexual misconduct in 2016 to 2022.Results: Ninety-four physicians, representing only 0.1% of ABFM Diplomates, were identified as having received disciplinary action(s) for reported sexual misconduct. These constituted 8.9% of the 1122 cases that resulted in a physician losing board certification or eligibility for any cause in 2016 to 2022. Ninety-three of the 94 physicians identified as male, with an average age of 56 (range 22 to 88 years). Eighty-nine percent of victims were female, and 90% were patients of the physician. Unwanted sexual behavior/assault occurred in more than half of the cases, whereas one third described an ongoing sexual relationship between patient and physician. Nearly 1 in 5 cases also included controlled substance prescribing. Seven cases involved minors. Noncontact (“grooming”) behaviors were described in 34 cases, 28 of which included subsequent physical sexual behavior. A clinical setting was the site of misconduct in 84% of cases.Conclusions: Reports of sexual misconduct among board-certified family physicians are infrequent. However, any sexual misconduct by physicians is harmful to patients and the profession. The specialty should work to enhance education and change professional culture to mitigate this important problem.