Professional Sexual Misconduct:

Abstract

This study examines the use of Psychophysiologic Detection of Deception (Polygraphy) as part of an independent, comprehensive, fitness-for-practice evaluation. It compares the findings for 18 non-randomized polygraph subjects selected from 60 medical professionals referred for assessment between 2007 and 2014 for violating sexual boundaries. Information derived from polygraph examination of fitness-for-practice evaluation subjects was independently rated for seven variables and retrospectively compared with that from subjects who were not polygraphed. Consensus values were used as final ratings associated with each case. In 56% of the 18 polygraphed cases, important new information was uncovered about sexual boundary problems that had not been elicited beforehand by repeated interviews and other standard clinical methods. This rose to 73% among those cases determined to be unfit for practice. Various recommendations were made in each case to improve patient safety and to enhance professionalism through specific education, treatment, support, supervision, monitoring and practice restrictions. Results suggest that the polygraph appears to be a useful component of an independent, comprehensive evaluation for sexual misconduct, as it may provide additional information to better understand what happened and more accurately determine a strategy for possible rehabilitation of the physician.