Professional boundaries

What constitutes a breach

Criminal sexual acts

sexual relationaship

innaprotiate humour/comments

Give a few scenarios

Asking/accepting a date

Sexual humour during consultations

Unnecessary exposure of patients body

Clinically unjustified physical examination

innapropoate questining about sexul orientation, history

exchanging drugs for sexual favours

What are the consequences for patients

• Long term harm

• Psychological harm

• damaged trust when pharamcists have a duty of care

• Impaired professional judgement / decision making

Power imbalance

Patients share professional information

Has greater influence

pharmacists needs to know what is appropriate

What about patient carers and representatives?

We must not allow ourselves to enter into inappropriate relationships with carers and representatives

Power imbalance

Can damage patient-pharmacist relationship

What are some other inappropriate scenarios

• Revealing inappropriate details

• giving/accepting social invitations

• Visiting a patient’s home without appointment

• Unusual consultation times

How should you legally deal with attraction

• Seek help and advice

• Ensure proper handover to another colleague

• Don’t make the patient feel they have done something wrong

What about former patients and carers

still a problem due to power imbalance also other family members may be treated

Obligation to always act professionally

Professional standards authority

outlines guidance for approaching this

GPHC will struck off a pharmacist from the reigster