A young doctor in Singapore has been suspended for three months after attempting to record his colleague showering.
The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) disciplinary tribunal also censured Dr Chen Hsing Yu and ordered him to submit a written undertaking that he will not engage in any similar conduct.
Dr Chen Hsing Yu, a resident trainee at the time, pleaded guilty to attempting to record a female doctor while she was showering in a unisex bathroom at a hospital on April 17, 2020.
SMC’s Grounds of Decision
According to the grounds of decision published by the SMC on June 19, Dr Chen intended to record the victim through a gap under the shower door but stopped short of actually doing so.
The victim did not notice anything amiss and left the hospital after her shower. Later that day, a colleague informed her that a nurse had witnessed Dr Chen’s attempt. On management’s advice, the victim lodged a police report. Dr Chen’s residency training was terminated on April 29, 2020, and his employment with MOH Holdings was terminated on May 11, 2020.
Previous Misconduct
This incident was not the first time Dr Chen engaged in voyeuristic behaviour. On April 23, 2014, while he was an undergraduate medical student in Australia, he recorded a three-second video of a female student using a unisex bathroom at a hospital. Dr Chen later deleted the video and provided a written apology to the victim, who chose not to press charges.
Following this incident, an inquiry found that Dr Chen suffered from a personality structure that made him prone to voyeuristic behaviour.
Due to concerns about his potential impact on public safety and his capacity to practise medicine, the authorities directed Dr Chen to undergo counselling and enter a health programme designed for impaired practitioners and students.
Disciplinary Tribunal’s Findings
The tribunal noted that Dr Chen’s previous misconduct in 2014 was a significant aggravating factor in determining his sentence. Despite this prior incident, he was allowed to continue his medical education and subsequently obtained conditional registration in Singapore. This earlier transgression, which involved recording a female student in a unisex bathroom, highlighted a troubling pattern in his behaviour.
In the current case, Dr Chen argued that the immense pressure and stress of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as a young doctor contributed to his actions. He claimed that his mental state at the time led to his improper conduct. However, the tribunal found that the stress of the pandemic did not excuse his behaviour. They emphasised that his repeated misconduct within a span of six years indicated a lack of professionalism and disregard for ethical standards.
The tribunal also considered Dr Chen’s voluntary professional treatment and charitable work as mitigating factors. He had sought help to address his underlying issues and engaged in activities to improve his well-being.
Nonetheless, the tribunal concluded that these efforts were insufficient to warrant a lighter sentence. They determined that his status as a young doctor was not a mitigating factor, given that this was his second offence of a similar nature. The tribunal stressed the importance of maintaining public confidence in the medical profession and the need to uphold high ethical standards.
Sentencing and Rehabilitation
For engaging in improper conduct, Dr Chen faced several potential penalties. These included a suspension of up to three years, removal from the medical register, and a fine of up to $100,000. The tribunal ultimately decided on a three-month suspension. They considered both the severity of his actions and the mitigating factors. The tribunal also noted the absence of premeditation in his attempt to record the victim. Lastly, also considered the lack of actual harm, as the video was never taken.
This case highlights the serious consequences of professional misconduct in the medical field. It highlights the SMC’s commitment to maintaining high ethical standards among medical practitioners. The tribunal’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of trust and professionalism in healthcare.
References
SMC | Published Grounds of Decision. (n.d.). https://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/smc/published-grounds-of-decision
