Doctor / Patient Relationship

[Whoa Nelly]

What happens whena doctor starts a relationship and then finds out that the person in question is a patient of theirs?

[raysparx1]

He stops the affair, but surely he would know if the person was a patient, and if he did know he could be struck off.

[bednobs]

i would have thought even if the doctor didnt know the patient was on heir list (could happen) then the patient would know? anyway, culdnt the patient just swich to another doctor?

[IggyB]

i don't know the name of my doctor and its not something that would immediately occur in conversation when a relationship started - i would suggest that the patient would simply change doctors and the doctor in question would report the mistake to their manager or some higher authority so as to cover themselves should there be any come back later... there is nothing actually wrong with the situation outlined as the doctor has not misused their position of power and influence so detailing the mistake would defend against any future accusations