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A physiotherapist who exposed a patient's breasts while treating her for a sore lower back and shins acted "inappropriately", the Health and Disability commission says.
The incident, which took place in October last year, involved the physician pulling down the woman's bra during a treatment session.
The patient, who had previously encountered no problems with the physiotherapist, was so traumatised by his action she had to undergo counselling and could not sleep without sleeping pills.
In his defence, the physiotherapist said he was tired and "not himself", but this was not accepted by the commission.
The commission ruled he had breached her rights and sexually exploited her by pulling down her bra, and had also breached healthcare standards with his clinical documentation.
The commission referred the case to the director of proceedings and the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand to decide if a competency review was needed.
It recommended the physiotherapist apologise to his patient, and for his workplace keep a close eye on him.
The commission withheld the name of the investigated man and the clinic where he worked.
- NZPA
