Which is a duty of physicians to their patients?

• A. Enter into a sexual relationship with a current patient
• B. Not enter into sexual relationship with a current patient
• C. Exploit patient vulnerability
• D. Coercive practices

Answer: (B)

Maintaining professional boundaries is essential in the physician–patient relationship. Physicians have a duty to protect patients from harm and to keep treatment free from exploitation or coercion. Entering into a sexual relationship with a current patient creates a serious power imbalance, undermines trust, and can distort medical judgment and care. For these reasons, not entering into a sexual relationship with a current patient is the ethical obligation. Exploiting patient vulnerability or using coercive practices would also breach professional ethics and harm the patient, which is why those options are incompatible with a physician’s duties.