Sexual Misconduct

The physician–patient relationship is a critical component in the effective provision of care and requires a high level of trust and professional responsibility. This important relationship is damaged when there is either confusion regarding professional roles and behavior or clear lack of integrity that allows sexual exploitation and harm.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognizes physician/patient relationship boundary violations of a sexual or intimate nature as an inappropriate and highly unethical abuse of professional power that is addressed in several ACOG documents (1-3). Such behavior violates patient trust and jeopardizes the well-being of patients. The ethical prohibition of sexual misconduct is forceful, and its application in medical practice is essential.

Moreover, professional dynamics in the medical community play a key role in the well-being of medical professionals and the sustainability of patient care. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual misconduct are never acceptable and jeopardize the physical and mental health and well-being of medical professionals in a demanding working environment. Research shows that a preponderance of sexual harassment and assault affects women in medicine, but sexual misconduct can and does take place among all genders and gender identities with equally harmful outcomes. There is no place for sexual assault or misconduct in the medical professional setting, and such behavior must not be tolerated. ACOG supports all medical and educational institutions that provide robust sexual misconduct curricula and professional trainings and have transparent, non-retaliatory reporting procedures. ACOG encourages those who experience or witness sexual assault, misconduct, or both by medical professionals to report those actions to their state medical boards. ACOG has a grievance procedure that members may use to report unethical behavior, including sexual assault and other sexual misconduct.

References

1. Sexual misconduct. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 796. Obstet Gynecol 2020;135:e43-50. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003608

2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Code of professional ethics of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG; 2018. Accessed July 27, 2022. https://www.acog.org/-/media/project/acog/acogorg/files/pdfs/acog-policies/code-of-professional-ethics-of-the-american-college-of-obstetricians-and-gynecologists.pdf

3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG meetings anti-harassment policy. ACOG; 2018. Accessed July 27, 2022. https://www.acog.org/-/media/project/acog/acogorg/files/pdfs/acog-policies/acog-meetings-anti-harassment-policy.pdf

4. National Academies Press. Sexual Harassment of Women. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/24994/sexual-harassment-of-women-climate-culture-and-consequences-in-academic

Approved by the Board of Directors February 2019
Amended December 2019
Amended and Reaffirmed July 2022
Amended June 2023