Consumers
Protecting health care consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied health care professionals and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.
Sexual Misconduct
Enforcement of laws against sexual misconduct is a priority of the Medical Board of California. This type of willful misconduct is considered among the more egregious that a physician can commit. Business and Professions Code section 726 states that sexual abuse, misconduct or relations with a patient are considered unprofessional conduct and grounds for disciplinary action. The Board considers any type of personal relationship between the doctor and the patient to be a very serious breach of public trust, unless a statutory exception applies.
These types of complaints allege sexual abuse, sexual contact or relations with a patient during the course of treatment or an examination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct Not involving patient during the course of treatment or during an examination.
There are times that personal relationships develop between the physician and the patient and such acts may have been consensual. The fact that the personal relationship between the physician and the patient at some point may have been consensual does not negate the fact that the physician breached professional ethics and boundaries, and possibly broke the law, by allowing a personal relationship with a patient to occur.
Filing a complaint with the Board is strongly encouraged so the issue could be investigated in the event that other complaints with similar allegations had been reported. Individuals may also consider filing a police report.