A northern Saskatchewan doctor has been suspended for one month for hugging and trying to kiss a patient.
The province’s College of Physicians and Surgeons found Yagan Pillay guilty earlier this month of inappropriate conduct.
Pillay, a general surgeon in Prince Albert, also owes more than $27,000 to cover the costs of a review of his conduct.
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He is to take a course on professional boundaries and must have a chaperone present when he is with female patients.
The college investigated after a complaint by a 53-year-old woman, who came to see Pillay about the results of a colonoscopy in March 2012.
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The patient said Pillay made sexual advances towards her, and massaged her back, neck and face before hugging her when she got down from the examination table.
The complainant’s evidence said Pillay, 47, then asked if he could kiss her, to which she responded: “No. I’m a happily married woman.”
Details of the college’s decision indicate that under cross-examination, the complainant’s story changed somewhat. She said the hug “lasted a millisecond” and the massage was similar to others she received from other doctors. But she remained firm that Pillay had asked to kiss her.
Pillay testified that he examined the patient, including her back and renal area, to check on a kidney lesion. He denied massaging her and said he helped the woman off the examination table, but did not offer a hug.
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Pillay denied there was any sexual element to the visit. The college’s decision said he was “clear and unshaken” when he said he did not try to kiss her.
The college acknowledged in its decision that there is no “smoking gun” in the case, but found Pillay guilty based on the improbability of the complainant fabricating her allegation. His evidence was rejected.
While the suspension is for one month, Pillay is not allowed to return to work until his financial penalty is paid in full.