title: Boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship.
abstract: Boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship is an important concept to help health professionals navigate the complex and sometimes difficult experience between patient and doctor where intimacy and power must be balanced in the direction of benefiting patients. This paper reviews the concept of boundary violations and boundary crossings in the doctor-patient relationship, cautions about certain kinds of boundary dilemmas involving dual relationships, gift giving practices, physical contact with patients, and self-disclosure. The paper closes with some recommendations for preventing boundary violations.
authors.affiliation: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nadelson
authors.forename: Malkah T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Notman
mesh_terms: D004992:Ethics, Medical; D037921:Gift Giving; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D011361:Professional Competence; D028743:Professional Misconduct / Q000145:classification; D012725:Sexual Behavior