Sexual misconduct: is censure enough?

Although sexual relationships between medical practitioners and their patients have been forbidden by most professional and statutory bodies, the reported prevalence of sexual misconduct does not appear to have altered in the last 20 years. A recent Australian study has also suggested that psychiatrists are over-represented in comparison to others in the medical workforce. The reasons that may account for this finding are discussed, and issues which require further debate by the profession are outlined. These include the acceptability of post-termination relationships, the applicability of criminal statutes, the role of treatment in the management of offenders, and whether mandatory reporting of sexual misconduct should be considered.