Problematic physicians: a comparison of personality profiles by offence type.

OBJECTIVE This exploratory study compares objective personality test findings among physicians exhibiting different forms of misconduct. The importance of delineating distinctive personality characteristics by type of offence is that such characterizations can direct therapy and prognosis for remediation. METHOD Eighty-eight physicians referred to the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Assessment Program for Professionals (V-CAP) completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, the Personality Assessment Inventory, or both, as part of their evaluation. On the basis of referral information, physicians were partitioned into 3 groups of offenders: "sexual boundary violators," "behaviourally disruptive," and "other misconduct." RESULTS On both personality measures, the sexual boundary violators generated the greatest percentage of profiles indicative of character pathology. CONCLUSIONS Although all 3 groups exhibited unacceptable behaviours, the pervasive personality features of the sexual boundary violators are associated with greater therapeutic challenge, and these individuals likely pose the greater risk of reoffending.