WHY (note the emphasis) is it unethical for a doctor to get into a relationship with his/her patient?

Question

This question is prompted by another which I have just answered.
I know it's supposed to be unethical. But exactly what is so unethical about it? Does a doctor not have a right to fall in love, or get into a relationship, like anyone else? And if the "right" person happens to be his/her patient, then what's so wrong about it?
I don't see what's the big issue.
Does this restriction not violate the doctor's freedom given to him by the constitution to marry whom s/he chooses to?
Can someone, preferably a lawyer or doctor, please give a real convincing answer?

Respondents talk about the patients' vulnerability. I'm not saying a doctor should start a relationship while the patient is under his/her treatment. But what if the patient has known the doctor as his/her doctor, for, say two or three years, and both have feelings for each other? Where's the vulnerability? And why should the patient leave a good and trusted doctor for another unknown?
Okay, suppose a doctor is married. Can he not treat his own wife? Or she her husband? Won't the relationship issue arise then? This is all very confusing.

Some respondents talk about the doctor's arousal when examining a patient. To a doctor, a naked patient also is another "object" for examination. I don't think s/he is thinking about sex.
However, a doctor is a human, and if s/he is going to be aroused, it can be with anyone -- whether or not they are in a relationship. So the arousal argument doen't seem to be tenable.

No, cokeheadsally, I'm not convinced.

Answer 1

You totally lose all objectivity with loved ones. One important quality about health care professionals is their ability to remain impartial and make judgment calls that could potentially be life or death. It's not a constitutionality issue; it's an ethics issue. If a doctor finds he./she is having feeling for a patient, it's best to step aside and let cooler heads prevail, as it were.

Answer 2

I'm neither a doctor nor a lawyer, but I think I can answer this one.

Lets say there is a patient with an illness that could turn terminal. The doctor and patient become romantically involved. At that point, it becomes unethical for the patient to remain under that doctor's care. The reason that is, is because he can no longer be considered unbiased or objective in his treatment of that patient. His judgment is considered clouded and he can't administer care based on rational thought. Once that happens, he's violated the Hippocratic Oath, "I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients ACCORDING TO MY ABILITY AND MY JUDGMENT and never do harm to anyone."

That doesn't mean they can't love or marry a patient. It just means they would need to step aside and let another doctor tend to them. That's where ethics come into play.

Hope that helps you.

Answer 3

I'm not a lawyer or doctor, but basically its about the power relationship between a vulnerable person and a professional.
The same rule applies to psychiatrists and their patients; and bosses and staff, and for the same reason.
Unwell/subserviant people are potentially vulnerable. Doctors are in a position of power. (whichever sex they are.)

If two people are attracted and its mutual, the correct thing to do is for the patient to find another doctor. Its no big deal.

Answer 4

It unethical because he/she is in a position of trust in that a patient should feel secure in the knowledge that the doctor is not aroused in any way while examine them.
Of course doctors are human and fall in love but if they have feeling for a patients they should transfer them to another doctors patient list.

Answer 5

Because a doctor is in a position of trust. The client or patient may be in a stressed or weakened position and has communicated this to the professional. The professional (Doctors, Lawyers, Clergy) should do their best to help the patient professionally as they were sought out. The profession should not "be way to get chicks."

Answer 6

Because the psychology of the doctor patient relationship is not a normal meeting ground for two people to develop a normal relationship.

If you run into your surgeon 2 years later and actually get along and go to dinner, then you're not dependent on him or her for your life and you are in a better position to see their true personality more clearly.

Answer 7

The surgeon affected person courting is unquestionably one of self assurance and have faith....commonly docs are seeing people at their maximum vunerable time....to start any style of courting with a affected person could be a contravention of that have faith...it relatively is the comparable with all people who's able to authority over yet another....a instructor, surgeon, criminal expert......All could abide with the aid of a code of ethics that are discovered while they are going to college and grow to be authorized to prepare their occupation.....there are various different places to fulfill people and to discover love devoid of preying on people who choose their help...

Answer 8

They feel it's a conflict of interest and emotion won't cloud your judgement. this is why surgeons aren't allowed to perform on family members.
But in todays anything goes society, with so much conflict of interest, I guess I can't see where it would do harm. As long as they are not continuing to be the patient, you can't keep seeing them and treating them and taking money from them obviously.

Answer 9

The answer to this question can be found in any psychology book, i appreciate that this may be too hard of a task for you yet .

Just read you additions and I'm sorry but it does kind of seem your changing the context of your original question.
Heres the unanimous answer wrong is wrong ... no matter how you dress it! and whats more YOU know it!!

Answer 10

Feelings could get into the way of work and responsibilities.