Am J Psychiatry 1981; 138:1335-1342
Copyright © 1981 by American Psychiatric Association
Physician sexual misconduct and patients' responses
AW Burgess
The author reports on 16 patient interviews involving a gynecologist who
conducted internal examinations in a sexually abusive manner. The unusual
features of the examination included length of time, misuse of the
physician's hands, absence of a nurse, and excessive use of lubricant. The
majority of patients did not stop the examination because they believed
something was medically wrong, they trusted that the physician was
conducting an ethical examination, or they felt powerless to interrupt him.
Many of the patients developed an aversion to gynecological health care
after the incident. The author suggests that mental health professionals
who will treat the abused or the abuser identify areas for prevention of
sexual exploitation and for early psychiatric intervention.
