When doctors go astray

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http://www.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20091016-174093.html

Sat, Oct 17, 2009
The New Paper

When doctors go astray

Here are two past cases of doctors' misconduct:

He gave inappropriate treatment with no informed consent

An ophthalmologist recommended glaucoma drainage surgery to his patient to reduce the high pressure in the right eye so as to reduce pain and headaches .

This was not the appropriate treatment.

He was also charged with performing glaucoma drainage surgery on his patient without informing him of all treatment and surgical options available and without explaining to him all the risks, side-effects and nature of the surgery.

He was fined $7,000, censured and ordered to give a written undertaking to the Singapore Medical Council that he will not engage in any similar conduct in future.

He also had to pay the costs and expenses of the disciplinary proceedings.

He appealed against the decision of the Disciplinary Committee in the High Court.

The High Court dismissed his appeal with cost. In their oral judgment, the judges agreed with and endorsed the disciplinary committees findings.

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He has sex with his patient

A gynaecologist pleaded guilty to improper conduct which brings disrepute to the medical profession by:

Engaging in a sexual relationship with a patient and failing to preserve the doctor-patient relationship.

Tampering with the biodata of a patient and thereby failing to keep accurate medical records.

He also pleaded guilty to professional misconduct by failing to record details of the patient's visits, medical condition and results of medical examinations .

He also disclosed to another person confidential information relating to the treatment and care of two patients.

The Disciplinary Committee noted that the gynaecologist's conduct overstepped the professional boundary between the doctor and his patient.

He was suspended for 24 months, censured and ordered to give a written undertaking to not repeat this in future.

He also had to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings.

This article was first published in The New Paper.