Suspended for three years: Doctor blew the whistle on his own sexual misconduct

A Québec psychiatrist who voluntarily reported to the provincial regulator that he had sex with an Ontario patient who pursued him over Instagram has been suspended for three years and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine plus investigation and hearing costs. Dr. Réda Sarhani, who was working as a locum in Kenora, Ont,, at the time of the offence, must also comply with a permanent practice restriction that requires him to have a female healthcare professional present during all appointments with female patients. He also admitted to the Collège des médecins du Québec that he had a “failed to behave irreproachably” towards another female patient—whom he saw in Baie-Comeau, Que., in two sessions where he revealed to the patient details of his personal and intimate life. Feeling anxious about his actions during these appointments, Dr. Sarhani contacted that patient on the evening after their second appointment and, in the presence of a nurse, asked the patient to confirm that their appointment had gone well. Read: Suspended immediately: Doctor who had sexual relationship with opioid-addicted, paraplegic man found guilty of sexual abuse of a patient In October 2022, about eight months after Dr. Sarhani self-reported to the Collège des médecins du Québec, he signed an undertaking with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario vowing to never again apply for a practice certificate in that province. Dr. Sarhani told the Québec college that in August 2021 he saw a patient at the Roberval Hospital in Kenora who has a history of major disorders, including depression. Shortly after, he received an invitation to connect over Instagram, which he accepted. Later that evening, after engaging in flirtatious conversation over Instagram, Dr. Sarhani invited the patient to come to his place. However he changed his mind shortly after and sent her a message telling her he didn’t think this was a good idea. The patient did not see this message in time and went to Dr. Sarhani’s home, where they had sex. The patient subsequently discussed this encounter with her psychotherapist, who reported it to the Ontario college. Read: Roundup: How do Canada's physician colleges differ on handling sexual misconduct complaints?

Suspended for three years: Doctor blew the whistle on his own sexual misconduct

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