Report on Professional Misconduct and Regulatory Action: Case of Dr. Suman Khulbe

Case Summary and Findings

A report on the professional conduct of Dr. Suman Khulbe, an Indian-origin physician in Ontario, Canada, details the revocation of her medical license following a disciplinary hearing. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario found Dr. Khulbe guilty of professional misconduct, including sexual abuse of a patient and failure to maintain professional boundaries with others.

• Subject: Dr. Suman Khulbe
• Jurisdiction: Ontario, Canada
• Regulatory Body: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
• Outcome: Medical license revoked

Details of Adjudicated Misconduct

The disciplinary panel concluded that Dr. Khulbe engaged in conduct that contravened the zero-tolerance policy for sexual contact between physicians and patients. The findings highlighted a pattern of blurred professional and personal relationships.

1. Sexual Abuse: Dr. Khulbe admitted to a sexual relationship with one male patient, a gym trainer. Allegations detailed by the complainant included acts of oral sex, kissing, and manual stimulation, often while the patient was under the influence of procaine, a substance Dr. Khulbe administered and referred to as vitamin injections.
2. Unprofessional Relationships: The physician was found to have developed deep personal relationships with other patients, including professing her love to them.
3. Business Entanglements: Dr. Khulbe established business relationships with at least two patients, further violating professional boundaries.
4. Inappropriate Clinical Environment: The tribunal noted that Dr. Khulbe hosted social events at her clinic where alcohol was served and procaine was administered to patients.

Respondent’s Position and Appeal

Dr. Khulbe has stated her intention to appeal the ruling. Her defense included the following points:

• She characterized the sexual relations with the patient as a consensual relationship.
• She claimed that significant facts were omitted during the public hearing.
• She described the case as a “witch hunt” and an extortion attempt.
• She explained that her reference to vitamin injections as “procaine” was because the word rhymed with cocaine.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This case holds significant relevance to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, equality, and institutional justice.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The actions of the physician represent a severe breach of the principles underlying SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.

• Patient Safety: The abuse of the doctor-patient relationship fundamentally undermines patient safety, trust, and mental well-being, which are critical components of a functioning healthcare system.
• Ethical Healthcare: The case highlights the indispensable role of strong ethical standards and professional accountability in delivering safe and people-centered healthcare.
• Regulatory Oversight: The incident reinforces the need for robust regulatory oversight to protect the public and ensure that healthcare services contribute positively to community health outcomes.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

While the primary complainant was male, the case illustrates dynamics of power and exploitation that are central to the objectives of SDG 5.

• Abuse of Power: The misconduct is a clear example of an individual in a position of authority exploiting a power imbalance, a core issue SDG 5 seeks to eliminate.
• Bodily Autonomy and Consent: The violation of professional boundaries and consent infringes upon the fundamental right to bodily autonomy, a key tenet of gender equality and human rights.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The response by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario serves as a model for the principles of SDG 16, which promotes just, peaceful, and inclusive societies.

• Accountable Institutions: The disciplinary process and subsequent license revocation demonstrate an effective and accountable institution working to uphold the rule of law and protect the public.
• Access to Justice: The tribunal provided a formal mechanism for addressing grievances and delivering justice for the victims of professional misconduct.
• Public Trust: By enforcing a zero-tolerance policy and holding a practitioner accountable, the regulatory body reinforces public trust in medical institutions, a cornerstone of a stable and just society.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article discusses a severe breach of professional medical ethics, where a physician’s actions directly harmed the well-being of her patients. The case of sexual abuse and unprofessional conduct undermines the provision of quality healthcare services and patient trust, which are fundamental to achieving good health and well-being.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • This goal is relevant as the article’s central theme is sexual abuse and exploitation. Although the case involves a female perpetrator and a male victim, it falls under the broader umbrella of eliminating all forms of violence and exploitation. The abuse of power in a professional relationship to commit sexual acts is a form of violence that SDG 5 aims to eradicate, regardless of the gender of the parties involved.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article highlights the role of institutions in delivering justice. The case was reviewed by a panel from the “College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario,” a professional regulatory body. The conviction and revocation of the medical license demonstrate the functioning of an accountable institution designed to uphold the rule of law and protect the public. The article details a formal process of justice for the victims.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.8: “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…” The actions of Dr. Khulbe represent a failure to provide “quality essential health-care services.” Her conduct, including sexual abuse and improper administration of substances like procaine, is the antithesis of quality care.

2. Under SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.” The principle of this target applies directly. The doctor’s actions constitute sexual abuse and exploitation of a patient within a professional (public/private sphere) relationship. The article states she was “found guilty of sexual abuse” after engaging in “sexual acts” with a patient.

3. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The victims in this case had access to a justice mechanism through the professional tribunal, which investigated the allegations and delivered a verdict.
   • Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario acted as an effective and accountable institution by holding a hearing, reviewing the conduct, and enforcing its “zero-tolerance policy” by revoking the doctor’s license. The public reporting of the panel’s decision points towards transparency.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 3 (Target 3.8)

   • Implied Indicator: Existence and enforcement of professional standards and codes of conduct for healthcare workers. The article mentions the College of Physicians and Surgeons’ “zero-tolerance policy for sexual contact between a doctor and a patient,” which is a measure of a framework for quality control.
   • Implied Indicator: Number of medical licenses suspended or revoked due to professional misconduct or abuse. The fact that Dr. Khulbe’s “medical licence [was] revoked” is a specific data point that could be aggregated to measure the effectiveness of regulatory oversight.

2. Indicators for SDG 5 (Target 5.2)

   • Implied Indicator: Number of reported and adjudicated cases of sexual abuse or exploitation by professionals in positions of trust. The entire article is a case study that could contribute to such an indicator.
   • Implied Indicator: Legal or professional convictions for sexual abuse. The article explicitly states the doctor was “convicted of sexual abuse,” which is a measurable outcome of a justice process aimed at eliminating such violence.

3. Indicators for SDG 16 (Targets 16.3 & 16.6)

   • Implied Indicator: Number of cases of misconduct reviewed by professional regulatory bodies. The article describes a “panel reviewing her conduct” and a “public hearing,” indicating a formal institutional process is in place.
   • Implied Indicator: Public access to information on institutional decisions. The reporting by the “National Post” on the “panel’s decision” implies a level of transparency that can be measured.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: hindustantimes.com