What will you do if a patient falls in love with her doctor?

I was treating a female patient in her 30's for minor injuries caused by a vehicular accident. She was eventually sent home, but I advised her to come back after a week for the sutures to be removed.



After a week, she came back to the out patient with a big smile, cupcakes and sodas, thanking me for treating her so gently. I took it as a complement so I accepted her gift.



The week after, she sent flowers, home baked cookies, and a card which contained poems about love and romance. I told her that I am already in a relationship, but she kept coming back to my clinic, and even expressed that my partner did not have to know about her. What will I do?

What will you do if a patient falls in love with her doctor?
You handle this the same way you'd handle the unwanted attentions of any female - with kindness, firmness and tact. Tell her in no uncertain terms that while you find this flattering you are not available and not interested in starting an extra relationship. You'll be happy to continue the professional relationship but that's all it can be. Do not see this patient without a female medical assistant present at all times. Return on the spot any further gifts, do not accept them. Do not accept her phone calls unless they pertain to her medical care. Eventually, she'll get over her infatuation. If she does not, give her the 30-day notice and hand her over to some one else. You know the protocol to avoid abandonment. If you're in a group practice, is there a female physician who can treat her instead?



You didn't mention what your job is. Tell us. If you're not a doctor, you won't have to worry about abandonment.
Reply:Maybe your partner would like a threesome. Why don't you ask him?
Reply:As a fellow healthcare professional I understand the conflict of interests here. Usually its un-ethical to engage in a romantic relationship with a patient and you can use that as an excuse to let her down gently (thats assuming you care about your current relationship). If you do not care then by all means pursue this...if she is not currently a patient I think you are in the clear.
Reply:Hey Levelhead, Your the doctor, you tell us! Surely they taught you something about this issue in school. I bet its not that uncommon. Psychiatrists have that problem alot, or so I hear. Are you sure your not liking this attention a little too much? I think you do!! The sickest, strangest person I ever dated was a doctor......Hmmmm, It makes me wonder! Ask your girlfriend what you should do. I bet she'll have the answer for you!!! See yha later "cupcake"!! Kandice
Reply:she may be a headache for you.Don't trust her u may loose ur previous relation which is good.
Reply:Which girl u like the best??
Reply:You obviously have no consideration for your partner. Maybe you do, but the fact that you are asking me that question leaves me to this conclusion:



go out with the patient, it seems like you have an interest. Get to know her as a person and , there is nothing wrong with getting to know someone. But make sure nothing is wrong befor you jump into another relationship.
Reply:She sounds like a stalker. Make sure you tell your partner about it - honesty is the best policy in this kind of situation. Also, next time she sends something you can refuse the delivery. Don't take her calls. Don't make time for her at the hospital. And certainly don't ever be alone with her. Always have a witness.
Reply:In my point of view, if you and your partner are in good relationship, you don't need to find a spare one. However, if it's bad relationship, you both should consider to build up good relationship; otherwise, it should be broken. Anyway, if you are in relationship with someone, you should sincere to her. For this situation, I would suggest, if you choose your partner, tell your partner about your patient before she know by herself or other person. Then you should express clearly to the patient that your relationship is so well and you and your patient can be friend but not lover.
Reply:One of the hardest things to do is to be close to your patients without becoming involved. Having been in that position once ,The best of all possible answers is to be very forthright and say no to all gifts from any patient. Some will take it hard but you must protect your self before it turns ugly. In this case be very firm make sure you have a witness and tell them NO and also tell them you will no longer be their care provider. From this point on have someone else take care of the patient. One must always be on-guard as some people will take the slightest phrase or action as to be an open invitation for advances. Patients still look at Doctors, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants as Hero's that can do no wrong. Protect your self at all times never take anything from a patient.

A question for men