« Frustrated, On the Patient Side of Things | Main | A Female Preemie's Chances in Iran »
Flirting Patients and Hospital Romances
Anthony Rudine -- Recently, while seeing patients in clinic, I was exposed to an odd situation. A patient of mine had two issues. One, the problem she was being seen in clinic for. And two, she wanted a date. With me.
Now, I like to think that I have an unspoken agreement not to date my patients. But still, it threw me off guard and I was briefly unable to answer her.
Here’s how it happened. Long story short, I was through with my examination and was about to leave to present to the others, and then it hit me like a ton of bricks: "Do you want to take me out for drinks? Do you want to buy me a margarita?"
Under normal circumstances I would have laughed it off and went on my way, because under normal circumstances, the patient would have been joking. This was no joke, I could tell.
In the past, I've had many patients flirt with me, and usually I just take it with a grain of salt and say something so they are not embarrassed, and walk out. But as I said, usually it is clear they are joking.
Anyway, I ended up making it clear that I could not go out with her, and went to present to the others on my team like nothing had happened. However, I became curious how often these things happen in the hospital. How often do patients flirt with you – or ask you out? For that matter, I have seen physicians flirt with nurses, nurses with medical students, medical students with physicians, nurses with physicians, etc.
Sometimes I feel like I live in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
Does this happen where you are?
September 28, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
I had a 70 year-old guy wake up from a coma and ask me out the next morning. I chalked it up to re-entry into waking life, but it was still weird. Flattering, but very weird.
Posted by: Matt | Sep 28, 2006 10:07:14 AM
This happens a lot in our hospital from what I can see ... everyone seems to flirt with everyone. As far as anything other than flirting, I only have my own experiences. As a female medical student, I have been flirted with and asked out, but I usually either laugh with them or politely say that I can't.
Posted by: Rhiannon | Oct 3, 2006 2:17:13 PM
The first year I was out of residency I was examining a young lady. She responded "You examined me as if something were wrong with me." I responded that I was reacting to her complaint and asked what else am I supossed to do? She answered " I did not come here for an exam. I came here to see you."
Her candid answer and demeaner through me for a loop. Later I began to realize that this probably how many a physician had fallen.
Posted by: Larry Jones | Oct 3, 2006 2:24:07 PM
Never forget dear wise one, that ye too are a viable,interesting member of the human race. To many times, we in the health care field seperate ourselves mentally from "them" . We sometimes need reminded that we ARE them. We are simply at work when we meet "them".Do not misunderstand, I don't condone dating patients and at this point never have. If the right person came along........who knows, I might.
Posted by: Basketchick43078 | Oct 3, 2006 3:30:36 PM
Dr. Rudine, it appears that your professional demeanor and overall charisma are very attractive to patients (and maybe to fellow practitioners, too?). It looks like you've got the nonserious invitations covered.
But what if you WOULD consider a date or a drink or whatever with the one who asks? When it comes to patients, I've gotta think that the best policy is to tell them that it is necessary to wait [AT LEAST] until the diagnosis and treatment are over. Or I guess we can ask ourselves, "What would Meredith or Derek do (on the Grey's Anatomy TV show [grin])?"
Posted by: WannabeMD | Oct 3, 2006 4:24:02 PM
Things like this happen; happened to me too.
I said, Yes.
She was worth it!!!
Posted by: medik | Oct 3, 2006 8:21:17 PM
We have all heard the saying "Love is blind", in my opinion Love is blind, we do not pick when we are going to fall in love or with who we are going to fall in love.
"Love is blind" and when it happens if the feeling or attraction is there, GO FOR IT!
Posted by: Hayden | Oct 3, 2006 8:54:59 PM
I don't know where all of you are attending medical school, but it sounds as if it is a place where professionalism means "I didn't get caught". Life is not a soap opera - "Grey's Anatomy" is not about a real hospital. I get hacked off every time someone quotes that show - it's as if police cadets watched "Prison Break" and believed every prison/prisoner/guard represented real life. Get a life, people!
Posted by: Howard | Oct 3, 2006 9:21:27 PM
isn't there a rule against dating your patient. You can lose your license for this.
Posted by: susan | Oct 4, 2006 7:28:14 AM
Well I think if the flirting and dating does not interfer with your work it should be ok. I know of a doctor who married an intern.She taught school for a while now she is working with him in his practice. He lost a nurse or two one because she was interested in him and the other because she felt it wsn't ethical. Lots of things in life are not ethical and moral correct but who are we to judge you may miss out on your true LOVE.
Posted by: | Oct 4, 2006 7:48:15 AM
1. Patients are often attracted to doctors / health professionals because of the power imbalance.
2. Doctors who respond positively to these advances by their patients are essentially abusing this power and the trust conferred to them by their status.
3. Doctors who are able to maintain their boundaries are doing their patients and their profession a great service.
Frankly, I'm astonished people are suggesting here relationships between docs and patients are ok.
Posted by: Paul | Oct 4, 2006 1:01:02 PM
In Sweden we have Ethic rules for doctors, but no law as far as I know. Number seven on the list is;
"The physician is not allowed to have a sexual relationship with a patient under his / her care"
What we all have to ask ourselves is if dating a patient is ok according to our own ethic believes.
As for myself, I don't think I would.
Posted by: Anna | Oct 4, 2006 1:36:16 PM
I agree absolutely with Paul and Susan.
There are good reasons for the ethical rules against dating patients. Suppose John Doe, a married father of young children, happens to be struggling with a bout of mania. While in the hospital for a broken leg, he asks out a resident, lying to her and telling her that he is in the process of a divorce and that he and his wife are separated. The resident accepts, and a scandal ensues. Jane Doe then leaves her husband, who ends up in the depressed phase of his illness. A bitter custody battle erupts. Angry with the hospital for what's happening, Mr. and Mrs. Doe decide to sue the hospital for various claims -- negligent supervision, loss of consortium, malpractice, intentional infliction of emotional distress, etc. Needless to say, even if the lawsuit fails and even if the resident does not lose her license, she has pretty poor prospects of finding work in a respectable hospital again. And she has not honored her Hippocratic oath; her patient has ended up considerably worse off now than she had foreseen when she decided to "go for it."
If I were a supervisor or a hospital administrator, I would be very concerned about the implications of all the replies with a "go for it" attitude. Some unsolicited advice to those of you who think you might accept a patient's offer if the opportunity presented itself... Think twice. You never know who's asking you out, or what might happen to your career, or to others, when the relationship doesn't work out.
I can understand how, for some patients, flirting with their doctors might be therapeutic. Perhaps it's a way for them to step out of the role of the suffering, helpless guinea pig. In that case, I think Anthony's usual response is appropriate; laugh with them, treat them a little less like test subjects, let them remember that we're all human beings. But if you have your career and your patient's best interests at heart, I'd urge you to follow Anthony's example -- politely but firmly decline. It might drive you nuts to always wonder about "the one that got away," but the fantasy ("this could be my soul mate!") is almost always better than the reality ("this could be a lawsuit and a suspended license!"). And if you're done with studying and you're lonely and craving romance, turn off the medical soap operas, get out of your house, and go find love in a more appropriate setting.
Posted by: Liz | Oct 4, 2006 2:20:55 PM
i agree that its better to wait until the patient is treated and the doctor patient realation is over. so you can date without being afraid of a lawsuit or suspended license.And if it is TRUE LOVE it can sure wait.And if its not then there is no point in risking your license and ethics.
Posted by: dev prakash | Oct 4, 2006 3:05:03 PM
When i was a student at dental school I encountered a situation like this .A young girl came to and asked me to check her teeth when I began to examin her she said (I like you ) I was really surprised I acted just as if I did not hear any thing and answered ( your teeth really need care )
she said (you have a lovely eyes ) I answered ( do you really want to take care of your teeth ? ) and she kept pushing until I had to ask her to get out .
In my openion there must not be such relationship between doctor and his/her patient . you can wait until it is not a patient any more
As for me it will never happen .
Posted by: sayed | Oct 4, 2006 3:22:29 PM
What are these comments on about 'true love'? This is besides the point.
What I feel is a purely professional relationship (either professional/patient, then it must be kept so. Confusing a profession's care and interest in the patient's health for love is a reason this may have occured, not because of 'fate' or 'true love' or 'love at first sight'.
A senior member of staff is reputed by various other members of staff is to have had sexual relations with members of the same disciplinary team. All without breaking boundaries!
Wonders if this is the formal training of said London hospital.
Posted by: | Oct 4, 2006 3:38:36 PM
We've heard time and time again in the media; doctors having sexual relationships with patients. Golden rule: do NOT date patients.
Posted by: Aussie | Oct 4, 2006 4:15:36 PM
First it is obvious with a little thought and commonsense that a health professional should not engage in a sexual relationship with a patient.
Second this talk of TRUE LOVE needs a little definition for those who see love as blind. TRUE LOVE and compassion comes from understanding. To a physical consciousness love means passion, to an emotional being it is affection, and to a human mind it is admiration. Love may be called the desire to be conscious of the object of love, for we admire all that we love, and are blind to the good qualities of that we do not love. In the final analysis, TRUE LOVE is nothing more than a sacrifice and the value of sacrifice is in the willingness. Devotion is proved by sacrifice. A true health profession must remember to always serve their patients. It is not our position to receive from them.
Posted by: Michael Kelly | Oct 4, 2006 4:35:32 PM
First, think about all that booty you could have got.
Then, think about your practice.
Then, think about this: We're still human.
It's natural to feel that way. But always keep long-term goals as your primary priority, before poking your 'cannula' into a patient.
Being professional isn't only limited to where we work, it often extends beyond that. I think that dating a patient isn't a tactful thing to do, as this would either reveal your weakness and/or your strenghts.
But, why take the risk? Patients can be 'guile'.
Play safe, no really... play safe.
Posted by: Prasad Nambiar | Oct 4, 2006 8:47:58 PM
I'm not agree with ppl that thinks dating patients is OK. What about our Hypocrates oath?, What about ethics?, i know we are humans.... maybe this can happen because as sb else wrote before sometimes we don't have a proper life, we spend several hours at hospital and in many cases we can't interact with other ppl (i mean of other entorn) that could be an answer for ppl that date patients ....
Try to spend time with your friends and think about the consecuences of your acts. All i have to say.
Thanks
Jessi.
Posted by: Jessica | Oct 5, 2006 12:21:50 AM
This happened to me once. At the time, I was totally flustered and embarrassed because the guy was really nice and I didn't want to hurt his feelings or embarrass him, and I just stammered something about that I think it is not allowed.
But then after that, I realized that it didn't need to be such a big deal, and next time, I'd just smile and say graciously, "Thank you, that's very sweet, but it's against the rules (or law) for a medical professional to date a patient." I think that if you think the person's ego is fragile, you could even toss a line like, "If things were different, I'd certainly consider it."
It was just the surprise of it happening that threw me off. If you are prepared for it, it's not such a big deal. The first time it happens, though, is quite funny and awkward.
Posted by: Sara | Oct 5, 2006 2:26:17 AM
hello
love is really blind
me my self i work with nice consultant and really i like his personality i like every thing and i enjoyed working with him
but i did not tell him about my emotions
im still young just an intern and i know he will not take care about my feelings thats why i keep my self silent im really like him but i have to be strict with medical rules and ethics
im really suffering .
thanks
abut doctor pateint relationship it should be profisional
Posted by: moon | Oct 5, 2006 4:33:20 AM
I wonder if Konrad Lorenz' work on imprinting in birds has a role here? i.e. the first nurse the patient sees after coming out of a deep anaesthetic is one he or she is attracted to.
Posted by: BillLubbock | Oct 5, 2006 5:12:12 AM
Its cute to flirt, but not when your presenting yourself as a professional. There were two M.D's calling each other babe in the middle of a busy inpatient unit, (tacky). You did right, but if your single don't limit yourself.
Posted by: Jen | Oct 5, 2006 11:20:24 AM
amen to paul... in canada the hippocratic oath and ethics are key elements in our medical curriculum. paul has summed it up nicely. pts see us in a different light than the average joe on the street. they admire us, they are in awe of us to an extent. its like the minor student who has a crush on their teacher. the power differential, whether we perceive it to be there or not, IS there and as such, the playing field can never be level. it may not be as extreme a difference as a student and their teacher, but there is still a difference. and as physician, we are responsible for the pt's medical well-being 1st and foremost. we have taken an oath and accepted along with that responsibility the various compromises/sacrifices that go with it--one of which is to never date patients. whoever stated that "as long as it doesn't interfere with work" isn't very insightful... to have a romantic relationship with a patient who is still your patient will ALWAYS interfere with work. its the same reason we are told to avoid taking on family members as patients--its called bias. when love and emotions come into the picture (whether it be family or romantic interests, there is always some element of emotion attached to it) your rational judgement can't help but be clouded. and it scares me to see other health professionals who think it doesn't. anthony did exactly the right thing. firmly set boundaries. you don't need to be rude or embarass the pt but you can be clear and say no. and should never question that decision. there are plenty of fish in the proverbial sea who haven't swam into your practice and if you are desperate enough or cavalier enough to "go for it", then i sure as heck don't want someone with an attitude like that responsible for my healthcare. i'd be less worried about losing my license or facing a lawsuit than losing my moral integrity. but all 3 are what you will face if you walk that line. the co-worker relationships are different and i'm not addressing that here. i've had relationships with other residents and had so called "chemistry" with one of my married attendings, but we were both mature enough and responsible enough to not let it go down the "grey's anatomy" road. we are all supposedly intelligent and well educated people, so use your common sense. kudos to anthony for standing up for the morals of the profession and himself. well done!
Posted by: coach | Oct 5, 2006 12:07:32 PM
Hi
It is bad enough that we have to work long hours, and constantly think about studies and work and it is a never ending cycle, it seems vicious but it is the path we choose.
As much we want lives to be perfect, it is never. So at the end of the day, matters of heart is purely a raincheck as to what our heart want.
Ethics is what governs us but it is the heart that overides everything that is logical. Hence the constant battle.
It all boils down to one thing, it is the choices we make and the risks we have to take. But at the end of the day, we have to decide what is important love or work.
When one is clear about the cause of action, one is required to take, then the path is very clear.
Hence from the Gray's anatomy soundtrack quote, nobody knows where life ends up, nobody knows.
Blueangel
Posted by: alexis | Oct 5, 2006 7:16:03 PM
Im a nurse. I made friends w doc, other nurses and patients. In the hospital, we are very professional. Once, we r out of the hospital, n out of our uniforms, we treat each other as friends and if we do fall in love with each other cuz we start as friends. Its no wrong to hang out together outside.
i fall in love with my patient at first sight but i noe, tt nurses n patients strictly no-no. We did exchange e-mails n numbers when he was discharged. Basically, we were juz being nice n friendly. how we end up together? currently he is my boyfren n we been datin for more then 2yrs n growin strong.
some of my frens married a nurse or a doctor. i dint say the hospital is a place of mating but a place of meetin new friends.
gd luck everyone! take care.
Posted by: Anna | Oct 6, 2006 2:10:53 AM
patients and nurses in my opinion should not date. But a friend of mine in our first year struck up a friendship with a guy in his forties who was in the nursing home she was on placement at. They didnt start anything till she had left the NH and the man in question is in a wheelchair they embarked on a relationship that is still going strong 18 months later. It is not all about sex she has genuine feelings for him and her. She or he however did not do anything about their feelings until she had left so as duty of care goes has she done anything wrong? personally i dont think she has. What do you think.
Posted by: lulu | Oct 6, 2006 5:44:19 PM
i am working in a small country in europe and i must say it is nice to know that life in other hospitals in countrys we only dream of working some day is not so different .
I think it is imposible to work so many hours together and always be on the profesional side ... we all have bad days....we all have patiens that unfortunatly die and at leat i have not got used to it ...so we need friends in the place we work....if it is possible to cross the line and fall in love?...i know it is possible...I like to think i will never do it, that i can control my emotions and keep a clear thinking in this matter...but not every one is like that....Here-- there are a lot of doc –nurse relationships , some go ok ...some end up badly and that it is not preety ...they ask for transfers in other hospitals and so the rest of us are in put in an uncomfortable position of taking sides...
Another reason why we are at risk of falling in love with people we wok with or maybe with patience is the lak of a personal life , i don’t have the time nor the energy to go out , meet knew people ... and unfortunatly not all of us are so lucky to find someone that understands our scheduales and our constant studiing when they have a 9 to 18 scheduale and come home to relax ... i learned that the hard way... so in the end it is a question of choises...do we accept a relationship that starts in a somehow unethical way or we learn to make lonelyness our friend ....
sorry for the grammar and spelling
Posted by: sorina | Oct 7, 2006 12:31:08 AM
you have to know where your priority lies..first of all...you shouldnt be that horny to date everything u see..that is in a mini skirt....since she has a problem..being your patient and all...secondly...doctors are totally known to be whores... dont confirm that opinion ..it is wise to say no....it has drastic consequences...as intellectuals we must see the need to say "NO" to a hot looking woman/man...even if you are totally, unbelieveably desperate....my advise...just say nicely no...make up an excuse....because..you never know what " net" you are caught in....certainly if u are the bait
Posted by: Amina | Oct 7, 2006 6:00:08 AM
Is the "House of God" by Samuuel Shem a really popular read among people in the medical profession? I sure hope the graphic descriptions in there are exaggerations and sarcastic extrapolations of what happens in the real world ... though it seems that many of the ideas presented in the novel really are what go through the minds of doctors-in-training ...
~a pre-med student
Posted by: A | Oct 7, 2006 1:06:40 PM
Patients asking students out on dates? Its a weird situation to be in certainly, from experience.
I was doing my psychiatry rotation in the suburbs. It was my first day and I was curious, excited and nervous at the same time. We met with the doctors at the nurses station which looked into the main psych ward. The station was locked and secure, surrounded by glass so we could look out at the patients. Patients were wandering aimlessly and talking to themselves, plastering posters of bikini-clad women on the glass panels and knocking on the glass, awaiting attention from the staff. I was suprised! Then we had to go in to interview a patient for a long case. A friend of mine was interviewing and I was her escort (we had to interview in pairs initially for safety reasons). The patient was brought into the interview room by the nurse and we were introduced to him. He was a stocky man with shoulder-length hair. I greeted him "Hi. Im a medical student and I will be sitting in on this interview while my friend here asks you some questions." In reply, I got complimented and I was taken aback but appeared to be unbothered. Twice during the interview, he asked me out on a date (once while he was saying how drugs enhanced his sexual performance!)and I declined politely. So the interview ended, much to my relief as I was very uncomfortable. Several days later, on a meeting where the patient was brought in to a room with several consultants and nurses (and 2 med students), he pointed to me and said out loud infront of all of them "Thats the girl I asked out on a date, but she refused!" Then he looked at me directly and asked "Would you like to go out with me?"
Oh Gosh! I was blushing away!
Yes, it was flattering but it also was certainly uncomfortable. I guess its quite different as he was disihibited! Overall - interesting.
Posted by: VK | Oct 8, 2006 1:16:31 AM
I see many mixed reviews on the issue regarding dating patients. I have had patients express their attraction to me ranging from sweet and romantic to raw and vulgar (from both genders). It has never been a comfortable situation. Ethics don't always guide the laws of attraction and lust and love are a human endeavor. I agree with several comments listed that the playing field is never equal. A power differential (either overt or covert) exists which exemplifies one reason why we shouldn't date our patients. Aside from that, I think the most important question we should ask ourselves is how will dating my patient be in the best interest of my patient's well being? Afterall, aren't we as practitioners guided and obligated to act in the best interest of our patients?
Posted by: kim | Oct 8, 2006 10:18:58 PM
Kudos anthony!
Big thumps up.
Lets maintain our intergrity
then we wil walk with our heads held high wherever we go!
Posted by: anthony | Oct 9, 2006 3:05:33 PM
yeah. this happens a lot in the hospital where i had my clerkship. most of my guy classmates broke up with their long time girl friends and ended up dating student nurses. and some of my girl classmates ended up dating our residents. i even found myself dating a nurse! geez. things happen.
Posted by: shopgirl | Oct 10, 2006 2:31:57 AM
i know someone who had a similar situation. the only difference is they really got involved, seriously.
it started during our internship in a local private hospital. she was rotating in surgery and she had this patient who was admitted for drainage of an abscess in the back. post-op, the two started talking and they appeared to have enjoyed each other's company. to make it a bit more complicated, the patient's father approved of what was going on. he even told his son to invite my classmate to a dinner in their home. after discharge, they officially started dating. if my calculation is correct, they've celebrated their first year anniversary.
my point here is, i think we should define our positions properly. when we're in the hospital or clinic, we have to act professionally as we could. Setting our limits in the working area will definitely save us from a lot of emotional turmoil that could affect our objectivity in diagnosing and managing our patients.
however, when we leave our workplace, we definitely become ordinary individuals who want to care and be cared for. titles will not work here. so for you anthony, maybe you should start knowing her intentions...outside. if you sense sincerity on her part, maybe you can give it a try. you would know when you're jeopardizing your profession. good luck
Posted by: mike | Oct 11, 2006 2:42:33 AM
I am a medical student and we learn a lot about ethics (as i am sure we all have) and i have to say that the ethics are all about the patients and their well being... I think that we should also consider ourselves at times too. If we dont respond to our own needs we cannot see to the needs of our patients.
We are human and we need companionship. I am not justifying dating patients but i do believe that you cannot help who you fall in love with.
Everybody is a patient at one point in their life...so we cannot NOT date anybody..
I think if you really are interested in the patient then wait until they are no longer in your care before commencing a relationship with them....if they are worth it they will be willing to wait.
And just one more thought: Most of us chose the health sciences because we have a passion for it and we succeed at it because we value our career...so, rather dont do anything that could cost you your licence..Think long and hard before you act
Posted by: Anon | Oct 11, 2006 11:20:18 PM
Patients who flirt with their doctor?it always happen during your rotation in hospital. The situation which happened to Larry Jones had happen to my friend too. I agree we could not date with our patient and we have to wait until the patient is treated and the doctor patient relation is over. But if the flirting and dating does not interfer with your work it should be fine. And I also agree, real life will not be the same with a TV series.
NB: It's OK if you want to date your patient, resident, student as long as their not belong to someone
Posted by: Tia | Oct 12, 2006 5:42:15 AM
Don't be flattered when you get flirted with. It's not about you. It's a pitfall. It's dangerous. Steer clear.
I've seen it over and over again. Patients flirt with doctor (the worst was a patient waiting on the table completely naked for the doctor to walk into the room in clinic). Doctors flirting with the patient. Doctors flirting with medstudents and vice versa, and of course every combo of staff/doctor. Honestly, it's easy to feel lured. We're exhausted, we're lonely, it's flattering, and more than anything...work is our life, and the people we work with start to feel like our only peer group and sometimes like our family. I remember feeling this way. I remember feeling attracted to my attendings. But once the rotation is over, and they're not part of my life, they fell off my radar and the intensity of it all fizzled. And I was so glad I had never acted on any of it. THe havoc that an inappropriate sexual relationship can wreak on our professional reputation is unfathomable. (is that a word?) I wouldn't even worry about sparing the other person's feelings. Don't sacrifice clarity for politeness. Say no, and stick to it.
Posted by: saya | Oct 13, 2006 11:54:06 PM
Come-on remarks are not "flattering". There is a HUGE difference betw. love & lust. Flirting between health professionals & pts. isn't professional.
Maintain your maturity and professionalism at all times.
Posted by: NL | Oct 22, 2006 6:23:53 PM
well one of the things that i am curious to know is about pediatricians( single) getting involved with single /divorced Mom's while the child is a patient of the Pediatrician
Posted by: bravo | Oct 23, 2006 1:14:54 PM
Reading these comments, 2 things stand out:
1. Several people feel ethics and morality is a personal thing for each individual to decide.
Clearly our beliefs and experience influence our emotional reactions and determine our sense of right and wrong - and we should at least try and respect each others different values - especially when it comes to grey areas and genuine moral dilemmas. However there are some issues (such as the one being discussed) where there is a moral consensus which one can appeal to, which overrides personal choice, and which is absolute (not relative to culture, time etc). It is this moral consensus that allows us to state clearly that slavery, the Holocaust, etc were wrong and should not have happened. It is the same with dating your patients. It is wrong and no morally serious person would disagree with this.
2. Several people feel dating patients is wrong because of the consequences it would have for them as doctors.
Forget the consequences for you (and don't justify your actions by appealing to the pressure you are under). Although you may get caught, you may lose your job and you may feel guilty, the real reason you shouldn't be doing this is because of a sense of duty.
If you are a doctor (or nurse or other health professional) you should have a sense of duty not to enter into a relationship with a client. If you find your job is placing you under pressure and you feel lonely, then you should address this by reducing the time you work and making an effort to broaden your life outside of work. Not easy, but infinitely better than abusing your position of power.
Posted by: Paul | Nov 2, 2006 7:14:13 AM
I have had just the opposite happen to me. My doctor flirted with me. At first I was unsure whether or not he was kidding, but as time went on, it became apparant he was not. And he is married. With children. And I did become involved with him. I know I should know better, but shouldn't he? Shouldn't he be scared to take such a huge risk, knowing I could essentially *ruin* him? I know doctors are human too, but I never thought that anything like this really happened, except for maybe on Melrose Place.
Posted by: anonymous | Jun 19, 2007 2:30:07 PM
One must consider several factors when faced with the dilemma- t odate a patient or not... What is the education level and maturity of the patient? If a patient is highly educated, naturally the power imbalance decreases. Also, is the patient going through any personal crisis such as a recent loss, divorce, etc. that is contributing to their inquiry. What KIND of doctor are you- a generalist, a specialist. Certainly a podiatrist would be less likely to see a patient's vulnerabilities than an oncologist. It is not always cut and dry and I believe it is subjective. While you have to be very careful i nthis day and age, I would not rule out the possibility of dating a patient if they transferred out of my care first.
Posted by: savvykate | Aug 14, 2007 10:40:06 AM
I actually had a female PGY1 resident at the hospital where i work as a paramedic/nurse tech flirt with me in the room where she was removing sutures from an unresponsive patient. Im not sure weather or not to take it seriously, but I think it was harmless thus far.
Posted by: paramedic7 | Nov 2, 2007 5:41:46 PM
