Boundaries in the workplace

Boundaries in the workplace

To maintain appropriate boundaries in your workplace:

• you shouldn’t enter into a formal therapeutic relationship with your supervisor while you are undertaking a training term

• you and your supervisor shouldn’t prescribe for each other or pressure one another to provide prescriptions for yourselves, your families or friends

• registrars do not treat other training site staff (including other GPs)

• training site staff do not seek medical care or prescriptions for themselves (or their families) from the registrar when realistic alternatives are available.

In a rural area where there may be limited access to alternative medical care, the training site may consider a policy of allowing you to treat staff, with appropriate supervisory oversight, after considering the risks, benefits and alternatives. Your training stage should also be taken into account and the situation should be discussed with you.

In the rare event of an emergency requiring you or your supervisor to provide emergency treatment to the other, you should debrief (once you’ve obtained appropriate consent) with other supervisors in the training site or your local ME as soon as possible afterwards to ensure you’re adequately supported. An adverse event form may need to be completed.