Lessons on ethical healthcare communication from #MeToo movement
Dear Editor, We read with great interest the editorial on a contemporary issue "Physicians and healthcare professionals in the era of #MeToo' by Khubchandani et al.[1]The article is a crisp and succinct overview of recently highlighted but a perennial problem in many vocations. Healthcare system involves interpersonal interaction between adults with normal or sometimes altered mental status. The interaction, forming basis of the doctor patient relationship, exists across ethnic, sexual, and societal variables. The interaction may witness exchange of information that at times is personal and intimate. These dialogues may expose the vulnerability of either person if there exists an emotional involvement beyond the norm and code of standard protocol. The chances of one person taking advantage of the situation when emotions run high are pertinent. Healthcare system, by default, involves intricate and intimate human interaction in history taking, clinical examination, and treatment that sometimes require patients to shed inhibition and clothes. Palpation of certain organs and violating the personal space is an occupational demand. Societal and religious sentiments may also play a role in deciding a benign touch from inappropriate gesture. Hippocrates oath and various other codes of conduct condemn any extraprofessional relationship and forbid undue advances and misuse of trust.
Journal of family medicine and primary care