A Survey of Australian Psychiatrist's Attitudes and Practices regarding Physical Contact with Patients

Abstract

A brief review of the ethics of psychiatrist's and psychotherapist's physical contact with patients is followed by a more detailed review of the major North American studies using self report surveys to measure attitudes and behaviour regarding physical contact with patients The methodology and results of a recent sample survey of Australian psychiatrist's attitudes and behaviour regarding such physical contact are presented and discussed by comparison with the North American literature. Issues pertaining to both “erotic” and “non-erotic” contact are explored.