New research into misconduct in the medical profession found male doctors are four times more likely to be disciplined for misconduct than their female counterparts, with obstetrician-gynaecologists and psychiatrists the most likely to be reprimanded.
The University of Melbourne study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, looked at 485 disciplinary cases before medical tribunals in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and New Zealand from 2000 to 2009.
It found sexual misconduct was the most common reason for disciplinary action, accounting for almost a quarter of misconduct cases.
Unethical or illegal prescribing accounted for 21 per cent of cases, while other types of misconduct included missed diagnosis, breach of registration conditions and failure to obtain informed consent.
The study's author, Katie Elkin, says sexual misconduct was the most prevalent form of misconduct.
"Contrary to public perception, in many cases doctors were disciplined in the absence of any physical injury being suffered by the patient concerned," she said.
"So the tribunal weren't as much concerned about physical injury as they were about the behaviour of doctors concerned."
Ms Elkin said the research also showed men were four times more likely than women to be found guilty of misconduct.
"This gives us a more accurate understanding of what's going on in this area, and offers a more accurate picture for the public and for governments as to what the behaviour is in this area and how the tribunals are responding," she said.
Gynaecologists
No comments:
Post a Comment