Vaginal exam without written consent: Stanley Medical College MD Radio suspended on allegations of sexual harassment by patient

Chennai: Based on a complaint of sexual harassment by a patient, a postgraduate radiodiagnosis medico in Stanley Medical College and Hospital, was "suspended until completion inquiry" on Friday.

While treating the patient, who had a history of displaced intra-uterine device, the doctor allegedly conducted a vaginal examination for further diagnosis. However, preliminary inquiries revealed that the doctor had allegedly failed to obtain written consent before examining the said patient. 

After the patient and her family members complained to the management saying that "the doctor touched her inappropriately" during examination, and demanded immediate action, a six-member team comprising the medical college vice president, hospital superintendent and four professors conducted a preliminary inquiry on Friday.

Although the lady assistant professor, who was present in the ward when the doctor examined the patient, informed the committee that he did not touch her with malicious intent, but only for the sake of diagnosis, the committee opined that examining the private parts of the patient without obtaining a written consent was a violation of the medical code. Based on the committee's recommendation, the doctor was suspended.

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As per the latest media report by the Times of India, the patient was admitted on Wednesday with "acute gastroenteritis and dehydration". Thereafter, she was referred to the radiology department for an abdomen and pelvis scan the following day. A postgraduate student of radiodiagnosis, along with another medico, conducted the scan under the supervision of assistant professor Dr. Usha.

Based on the clinical findings and the "vague history of displaced intra-uterine device", a vaginal examination was conducted for further diagnosis. The daily adds that the patient had also complained of pain in breasts as she had not breastfed her child for two days. 

Referring to this, the Dean of the institute, Dr, Balaji mentioned, "**** had expressed the retained milk with a syringe. He may have done good to relieve her of the pain but did not take a written consent from her."

He further mentioned that the management received complaints from the patient and her family alleging that the doctor touched her inappropriately while examining her. Further, the family members insisted on immediate action against the concerned doctor.

A preliminary inquiry was conducted on Friday by a six-member panel from the medical college. Dr. Balaji mentioned, "The team found that the doctor failed to take written consent from the patient that he was going to examine her genital area. He claimed that he had done that after oral consent. The lady assistant professor, who was present in the ward when the doctor examined the patient, has told the committee that he did not touch her with malicious intent but was only trying to make a diagnosis. Yet, the inquiry committee said not taking the patient’s written consent while examining her private parts and before doing a medical procedure was a violation of the medical code."

Consequently, the committee's recommendation was placed before the college council. The members of the council felt that the charges could have been averted if the doctor had followed the ethical code and therefore, they recommended to suspend the said doctor. "Based on the council’s decision the doctor has been placed under suspension," said Dr. Balaji.

This decision by the medical college management was justified by the Directorate of Medical Education, the apex body regulating the government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu.

Commenting on the matter, Director of Medical Education Dr. J Sangumani told TOI, "We agreed to the decision of the college council. Further inquiries will be conducted."

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