Sleeping with the past: the ethics of post-termination patient-therapist sexual contact.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the paper is to devise an ethical argument to support the contention that post-termination patient-therapist sexual contact (PTSC) is always unethical.


METHODS
Arguments both defending and condemning post-termination PTSC are reviewed and their strengths and weaknesses explored.


RESULTS
Analysis of these arguments reveals a strong case for the universal condemnation of post-termination PTSC.


CONCLUSIONS
Ethical codes, including that of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, should be amended to explicitly prohibit post-termination PTSC.
Ryan
C J
CJ
Department of Psychiatry, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
Anderson
J
J
D001315:Australia; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011570:Psychiatry; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012725:Sexual Behavior