Sexual boundary violations: the conduct, the code, and the consequences.

Health services professionals agree that sexual relations between treating clinicians and their patients are harmful and should not be tolerated. Minnesota law and regulations encourage identification of offending clinicians in order to protect the public. Regulatory agencies such as the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice seek to stop licensed professionals from engaging in sexual behavior with patients and also, when feasible, to restore medical professionals to competent practice. The authors recommend individualized psychiatric assessment and therapy for physicians who violate professional standards.