A disciplinary action is violation of the podiatrist's ethical code of conduct. The professional ethical code governs professional conduct for those within the organization in order to provide guidelines and/or rules by which the podiatrist is expected to practice.
The American Podiatric Medical Association (A.P.M.A.) sets forth a Code of Ethics (2005) that governs areas such as physician patient relationship, billing, and standards of practice. Although not malpractice per se, many times unethical conduct on part of a podiatrist may reveal elements of an underlying malpractice action. In addition, some disciplinary actions against a podiatrist may lead to and support a criminal case against the doctor, such as found in the following case.
Clearly, not only is an intimate relationship with a patient violative of the Code, but the exchange of intercourse for narcotics and taping the encounters, would constitute violations of the code as well. For instance, yesterday,
a podiatrist in Illinois who had been accused of providing prescription painkillers to patients in exchange for sex—and illegally recording the encounters—was sentenced Wednesday to 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug and eavesdropping charges.
Under a deal with prosecutors, Dr. Steven P. Loheide, 64, of Algonquin pleaded guilty in Kane County Circuit Court to one count of illegal delivery of a controlled substance and three counts of illegal eavesdropping.
Loheide, who had offices in East Dundee, also agreed to never again practice medicine.
"I consider your conduct in this case an enormous betrayal of your trust as a physician," Judge Donald Hudson said.
