Sexual contact in the doctor-patient relationship in The Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain data on sexual contact between doctors and their patients.


METHODS
Anonymous questionnaire with 17 items sent to all working gynaecologists (n = 595) and all ear, nose, and throat specialists (n = 380) in the Netherlands.


RESULTS
Response rate was 74%; a total 64 doctors gave a reason for not completing the questionnaire. 201 (59%) male gynaecologists and 128 (56%) male ear nose, and throat specialists indicated that sexual feelings are acceptable in the doctor-patient relationship; 286 (85%) and 186 (81%), respectively, had felt sexually attracted to a patient at some time, as had 14 (27%) female gynaecologists. More than half (59%) of the doctors who indicated that sexual feelings are unacceptable in the doctor-patient relationship had experienced these feelings, and 91% of this group had a negative attitude towards these feelings. 4% of respondents in each group had had actual sexual contact with patients. Most gynaecologists were in favour of having more attention paid to sexual problems during training; having their professional society take an official viewpoint; subsequent public support of this viewpoint; and taking on an impartial counsellor for the patients as well as the doctors.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexuality exists in the doctor-patient relationship. Gynaecologists have a higher risk of having sexual contact with their patients than do ear, nose, and throat specialists but compensate for this greater risk by a higher state of recognition and acknowledgement.
Wilbers
D
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, State University Hospital, Groningen, Netherlands.
Veenstra
G
G
van de Wiel
H B
HB
Weijmar Schultz
W C
WC
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D010036:Otolaryngology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D028743:Professional Misconduct; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires