Involved social relationships with patients Sexual relationships with patients Sexual relations with other professionals Sexual harassment Boundary violations range from mild to severe, but they all are potentially harmful to the patient and may affect the quality of care that patient receives.
Many patients find over-familiarity offensive.
Gift giving and receiving may lead to a decrease of a physician's objectivity. Treating family and close friends often results in inadequate or overly involved care being provided and objectivity is abnormally sacrificed. Finally, a sexual relationship with a patient is unethical and grounds for discipline by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. It may result in loss of one's medical license. There are many problems with familiarity, although at the outset it seems harmless.