29November 2020

A chiropractic doctor has actually been discovered to have actually stopped working ethical standards after having a sexual relationship with a client, Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rose Wall stated in a
The wife first opted for treatment at the chiropractic physician in 2016. After four months of treatment, a sexual relationship then developed between them which lasted for 2 and a half years.
According to the report, the chiropractor continued to deal with the woman and members of her household over this period.
“The Chiropractic Board Code of Ethics states that chiropractic doctors have an obligation to be familiar with the Board's Code and adhere to its standards,” the report noted.
“It mentions that a chiropractic specialist can not have a sexual relationship with a client unless that patient is the chiropractic specialist's spouse or partner.”
Deputy Commissioner Rose Wall thinks that the chiropractic practitioner's actions indicates he “failed to keep proper expert borders and comply with the ethical requirements set out in the Chiropractic Board Code of Ethics”.
“The maintenance of professional limits is an important part of the provision of health services, and its value in the provider-consumer relationship can not be stressed highly enough,” said Wall.
“I think about that [the chiropractic specialist's] conduct, specifically his entering into a sexual relationship with his patient, did not adhere to his expert and ethical obligations and crossed professional borders and ethical standards.”
In her conclusion, Wall advised the chiropractic practitioner develop a six-month mentoring and continuing education plan with the New Zealand Chiropractic Board, in relation to its Code of Ethics and with a focus on professional limits.
She also advised that the New Zealand Chiropractic Board consider this grievance and whether additional action is called for.
The chiropractic physician is to be described the Director of Proceedings.
Source: tvnz.co.nz