My physiotherapist is flirting with me. Now what?

The #MeToo moment has raised awareness of sexual harassment in business, politics, media and Hollywood and it’s prompting people in health care to speak up as well.

We’re getting more calls from patients who express concerns about things physiotherapists have done or said. We have been prepared for that. By now I hope that you are fully and completely familiar with the prohibition against dating your patients. It is, quite simply, against the law, not only for physiotherapists but for all health professionals. The College would have no choice but to cancel your license if we found out that you were in an intimate relationship with a patient (even if that patient is your spouse!).

But we also hear stories of inappropriate sexual advances or comments made by clinical instructors, other health care workers in clinics and hospitals, and student or resident colleagues.

Did you know that in one 2016 study of people in the medical field 30% of the women and 4% of the men said they had been harassed. That’s pretty consistent with other industries, so not surprising, but it’s still horrible.

But what about when a patient comes on to you? A quick survey of the physiotherapists who work in our office was revealing—they practically laughed at the question—they said OF COURSE it had happened, lots of times.

And then there’s the physiotherapist who tells women on Tinder that they can rely on his skilled hands because he’s a physio. Is it me or is that plain yuck? 

No matter how often we talk about these issues – whether it’s with a gathering of friends, with a class full of students, or in a hospital staff room, new questions arise. New anger and hurt emerge. How do you respond to a patient advance? Does it matter if the patient is mentally or physically challenged? What about when a teacher or boss slaps you on the bottom? What about that guy on Tinder? What do you do if you are overwhelmed by attraction to a patient?

This year, when the College comes out to your area, this is what we want to talk about with you. What are the rules? What can you do to protect yourself? How can we help? 

Join us at one of our community discussions this fall – dates and locations are listed below, and further details can be found here. We’ll also host a webinar for anyone who isn’t able to attend in person. Please keep an eye on the website, Perspectives and social media for updates, as dates may change.  

There is no doubt in mind that you have a piece of this #MeToo moment—let’s see where the conversation takes us.

Community Events   

• Toronto
  October 11, 2018 from 12 noon to 2:00 pm

• Kingston
  October 18, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm    

• London
  November 22, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

• Mississauga
  January 17, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm     

• Scarborough
  February 21, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm    

• Richmond Hill
  March 13, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm     

• Hamilton
  March 14, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
  
  
• Sudbury
  TBA from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

• Ottawa
  TBA from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

• Webinar: TBA