Boundary violations are breaches of the professional boundaries between a regulated health professional and a patient. In the Ontario discipline context, the category covers a wide range of conduct, from sexually inappropriate remarks or contact, to dual relationships (such as treating a romantic partner or family member), to financial entanglements (such as loans or gifts), to social relationships outside the therapeutic context. The most serious boundary violations, those involving sexual touching or sexual relations with a patient, are dealt with under the mandatory revocation provisions of the Health Professions Procedural Code for certain prohibited acts, and have been a major focus of regulatory reform in Ontario over the past three decades.
The therapeutic relationship places power and trust on the side of the practitioner, and boundary violations are understood as inherently harmful regardless of the patient’s apparent consent, because the relationship is not one between equals. The same conduct that might be unremarkable between social acquaintances can constitute professional misconduct between a practitioner and a patient or former patient.
The professional misconduct frameworks under each regulated health profession address boundary violations slightly differently, but the underlying principle is consistent: regulated health professionals must maintain professional boundaries that protect the patient and the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.
Posts tagged Boundary Violations analyze Ontario discipline decisions involving breaches of professional boundaries, including the conduct at issue and the penalty imposed.
Ontario discipline tribunal grants conditional reinstatement to psychiatrist whose licence was revoked in 2018 for serious professional boundary violations.
OPSDT accepts joint submission for permanent resignation after physician surreptitiously drugged a patient/employee with Rohypnol and Lorazepam, then self-administered to evade detection.
A general surgeon was suspended for 18 months after sexual misconduct against an ultrasound technician at his hospital, with a prior discipline history weighing heavily.
A clinical immunologist crossed professional boundaries with a 30-year patient and tried to procure a false alibi during the CPSO investigation that followed.
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