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A Pilot Course for Residents on Sexual Feelings and Boundary Maintenance in Treatment

  • Ethics Series
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Abstract

Surveys indicate that between 6% and 10% of psychiatrists report sexual contact with patients. Surveys also indicate that only a small minority of psychiatrists feel that they have received adequate teaching about this unethical behavior. Educational efforts aimed at reducing sexual exploitation of patients would be of value to trainees, patients, academic programs, and the profession. The authors report their experience with a pilot 6-session course for residents, and a longer model course is outlined. Such education should be mandatory in U.S. residencies. Mandated instruction would be consistent with both the high priority training directors have reported placing on the subject of sexual misconduct in ethics teaching, and with the widespread calls for increased education on this important subject.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Jefferson Medical College, 1201 Chestnut St., Suite 1400C, Philadelphia, PA, 19107-4192, USA

    Gregg E. Gorton M.D. (assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior),  Steven E. Samuel Ph.D. (assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior) &  Sandra M. Zebrowski M.D. (former member)

Authors
  1. Gregg E. Gorton M.D.
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  2. Steven E. Samuel Ph.D.
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  3. Sandra M. Zebrowski M.D.
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Gorton, G.E., Samuel, S.E. & Zebrowski, S.M. A Pilot Course for Residents on Sexual Feelings and Boundary Maintenance in Treatment. Acad Psychiatry 20, 43–55 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03341960

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