discipline summaries
manner, under the guise of a medical examination.
In addition, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal
failed to maintain the standard of practice in respect of
Ms A by: failing to ensure her privacy (failing to leave
the room while dressing and not ensuring appropriate draping), performing perianal and digital rectal
examinations in the prone position, and performing
unnecessary intimate examinations in an inappropriate
manner.
failed to maintain the standard of practice of the
profession in respect of Ms D by: not respecting her
privacy when he remained in the room while she
changed, and by performing inappropriate examinations of her vagina.
The Committee found that Dr. Iqbal’s conduct with
respect to these four patients would also reasonably be
regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable, or
unprofessional.
Ms B
Reasons for Penalty
While the Committee made findings of failing to
maintain the standard of practice and of disgraceful,
dishonourable or unprofessional conduct in respect
to all four patients, it was the finding of sexual abuse
in respect to these same four patients which drove the
penalty determination.
These patients described sexually stimulating actions
performed by Dr. Iqbal, including repeated in and
out movements of the rectum and vagina and in one
case touching of the clitoris. They were violated in an
intimate and most abhorrent manner. The Committee
agreed with the submissions of the College that these
actions constitute masturbation and, as a consequence,
immediate and mandatory revocation of Dr. Iqbal’s
certificate of registration was appropriate.
While the Committee found revocation of Dr.
Iqbal’s certificate of registration to be mandatory
under the Code, the dimensions of the misconduct in
this matter were such that nothing short of revocation
would suffice, even if not required by law. Protection
of the public, proportionality and maintaining the
public trust demand nothing less than revocation of
Dr. Iqbal’s certificate of registration which removes
him from the practice of medicine in Ontario.
The nature and extent of the sexual abuse perpetrated by Dr. Iqbal was particularly callous and cruel.
All four patients were extraordinarily vulnerable given
their significant symptoms.
In these circumstances, the Committee determined
that it was appropriate to order reimbursement from
Dr. Iqbal of funding provided by the College to any
of the patient’s for counselling or therapy. The College
also ordered Dr. Iqbal to post security acceptable to
the College in the amount of $64,240 (the maximum
amount, representing $16,060 for each of the four
patients sexually abused) within 60 days.
The Committee found that Dr. Iqbal sexually abused
Ms B by penetrating her vagina with his finger and
moving it in a sexual manner in an attempt to sexually
stimulate her. Further, while performing a cortisone
injection, Dr. Iqbal sexually abused Ms B by having
a finger in her vagina and massaging the area without
medical justification.
In addition, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal
failed to maintain the standard of practice of the
profession by: failing to respect the privacy of Ms B
(failing to leave the room while dressing and assisting
undressing), and by performing an unjustified vaginal
examination in an inappropriate manner.
Ms C
The Committee found that Dr. Iqbal sexually abused
Ms C on the office visit of June 2011 by touching her
vagina and clitoris in a sexually stimulating manner
under the guise of a medical examination.
In addition, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal
failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession by: failing to respect Ms C’s privacy, assisting
her in removing her clothing, the manner and position
he performed a perianal examination, and by inappropriately touching her vagina and clitoris during the
examination.
Ms D
The Committee found Dr. Iqbal engaged in sexual
abuse of Ms D in May 2011, by touching her lower
vulva and separating her labia without clinical justification, and in June 2011, when he inserted his fingers
into her rectum and vagina and moved them in a
sexual manner under the guise of a medical examination.
In addition, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal
Issue 3, 2016 Dialogue
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