The recent proliferation of cases in which gynecologists have been suspected of sexually abusing their patients, some of them minors, has led rabbis and doctors to publish a document of rigid halakhic guidelines for doctors in order to prevent similar cases.
The Avinoam Institute for Medicine and Halacha - Women's Health, led by gynecologist Dr. Gil Pompe and the halakhic arbitrator Rabbi Guy Elkana Luttinger, published a letter that includes eight regulations for the conduct of gynecologists, which for them constitute trust-building rules between the world of halakhah and the world of medicine.
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"A gynecological examination will be done when the woman is covered," the first paragraph states, and the second states that it is obligatory to allow women to get organized before and after the examination privately behind a partition or curtain.
The third section states that "during the medical examination there will be no small talk" and that the medical explanations must be given after the examination has ended and the woman has finished getting organized and is seated at the doctor's table.
Installation document, Photo: Avinoam Institute
Later in the letter of regulations it was stated that the doctor must wear gloves throughout the examination, he must obtain the patient's consent at each stage of the examination and that a breast examination will be performed exclusively by a surgeon and not as part of a gynecological examination.
The seventh section states that "a separation shall be made as far as possible between the statement of medical facts and the expression of personal opinions", and finally regulations are signed not to lock the door and in case it needs to be locked, the doctor must update another clinic or family member.
Among the rabbis who gave their consent to the new document are the rabbi of the Bat Yam city council and a member of the chief rabbinate council, Rabbi Yaakov Roja, Rabbi Yaron Ashkenazi of the Sephardic halakhic line, a member of the Mea Shearim Hassidic court, Rabbi Mordechai Zvi Bernstein and the gynecologist and lecturer Dr. Hanna Katan.
Initiators of the regulations - Dr. Gil Pomp and Rabbi Guy Elkana Lottinger, Photo: Avinoam Institute
In recent weeks, suspicions have been published against several senior gynecologists, including Prof. Aryeh Levin and Dr. Guy Rofa, alleging sexual offenses in a number of different cases. The director of the Avinoam Institute, Dr. Pomp, who serves as a gynecologist at Clalit Health Services and Maccabi Health Services, Because there is nothing in the guidelines they have issued to blame all gynecologists.
He said, "The purpose of the reservations and definitions is to establish trust in doctors who do their job faithfully and are kosher. Therefore, we found it appropriate to recommend clinics take on the following sections to keep even from appearances and to avoid misunderstandings that may arise when boundaries blur. Simple and clear boundaries also help to keep away from inappropriate behavior and also keep out suspicious qualifications. "
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