A Survey of Physicians' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Erotic and Nonerotic Contact with Patients
SHELDON H. KARDENER M.D.1,
MARIELLE FULLER 2, , and
IVAN N. MENSH PH.D.3
1 Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Center for the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024
2 Research Associate, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Center for the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024
3 Professor of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Center for the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024
An anonymous questionnaire survey of a random sample of 460 physicians revealed that most psychiatrists, obstetrician-gynecologists, surgeons, internists, and general practitioners did not believe in the efficacy of or engage in nonerotic physical contact with their patients. Five to 13 percent of the respondents indicated that they engaged in erotic behavior with patients and five to 7.2 percent engaged in sexual intercourse specifically. The authors point out the need for greater openness and acceptance of discussion about and research in this highly sensitive and vital area.
