A physician must terminate the patient-physician relationship before initiating a dating, romantic, or sexual relationship with a patient. Likewise, sexual or romantic relationships between a physician and a former patient may be unduly influenced by the previous physician-patient relationship.

How long do you have to wait to date a patient?

One in five doctors now say a romantic relationship is permissible—but only after a waiting period of 6-12 months, once the doctor/patient relationship has been terminated.

Can I hug my patients?

“Dont be afraid to show that kind of emotion,” Laird says. “Follow patients cues. Let them lead if thats a way they like to express their gratitude or their emotion.” Hugging should never be mandatory, Vejar says, but providers should recognize how much a hug might mean to patients.