A Chilliwack doctor has been suspended to three months and fined $5,000 for sending inappropriate sexual messages to a patient.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC said Oct. 24 that Dr. Rafet Jhameel has admitted to engaging in inappropriate electronic communication with a patient, including sending personal, flirtatious and sexualized messages during the course of the physician-patient relationship.
“The inquiry committee was critical of the registrant’s admitted conducted and concluded that his engagement in improper electronic communication with the patient displayed a lack of insight,” the college said.
It noted the conduct was contrary to the college's sexual misconduct practice standard.
"[The inquiry committee] determined that a disciplinary outcome was appropriate," says the public notice.
As part of the discipline, Jhameel entered into a consent agreement with the college to be transferred from the full family practice class of registration to the conditional disciplined class.
He must also complete a multidisciplinary assessment program, participate in a course of assessment and counselling with a psychiatrist or psychologist.
He must also participate in formal education in the areas of ethics, boundaries and professionalism, provide undertakings to the college to comply with its sexual misconduct practice standard and to not initiate or pursue social contact with patients outside the clinical setting.
The suspension’s effective date was Oct. 5.
