A Montreal family doctor has again pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct after giving a 20-year-old patient a pelvic exam for forehead acne.
• Also read: Doctor still charged with sexual acts on patients
“I felt hurt,” the young woman (whose identity is protected) told the College of Physicians of Quebec (CMQ) after realizing the severity of the crimes she suffered in 2018.
dr Craig Smith has thus pleaded guilty to a second sexual misconduct in a March 17 decision by the CMQ Disciplinary Board.
She gave in to the “pressure”.
Unable to get an appointment with her dermatologist, the 20-year-old patient had an appointment with Dr. Smith agreed. She had no vaginal problems. She has repeatedly refused a gynecological examination because she “does not see the connection between forehead rashes and a vaginal examination,” it says.
She finally gave in to “the pressure” and testified that in the presence of Dr. Smith, who locked the door, had to move out. “He doesn’t offer her a jacket or a towel,” it said.
According to the verdict, Dr. Smith the presence of vaginitis or a sexually transmitted and blood borne infection. According to the patient, Dr. Smith inserted a single finger into her vagina “and maybe made circular motions,” she said.
Then the young woman had to get up.
“He asks her to lean forward about 45 degrees. He then spreads his buttocks to perform a visual examination of the anal and perianal areas, which takes about 10 to 15 seconds,” the executive writes.
dr Smith, who has been practicing since 2003, did not deny having done so and said it is an accepted technique. Rather, the Council considered this to be an abusive gesture of a sexual nature. After this meeting, the young woman confided in relatives and doubted what she had suffered.
mild punishment
In 2019 dr. Smith was banned for three years for photographing a patient’s genitals without her knowledge and for attempting to photograph another patient topless with her cell phone. He had received a lesser sentence than the statutory minimum of five years.
Informed about this criminal record, the 20-year-old patient found that she had suffered “sexual assault”.
“She is aware ‘that she has a duty to report’ because she is judging that she has experienced a serious event and that she is not the only person to have experienced it,” the judgment reads.
According to the CMQ, a sanctions hearing should be scheduled soon.
dr Smith challenged the young patient’s version and denied inserting a single finger into her vagina. He has been practicing again since July 2022, but is only allowed to treat men.
dr Smith works at the Physimed clinic in the Saint-Laurent district, according to the CMQ.
In a 2022 ruling, Dr. Smith regretted his actions and felt “ashamed and embarrassed.” During his release, he volunteered and worked at a food bank “to help the public in other ways.”
According to the psychiatrist who Dr. Smith since 2018, there is “no risk of relapse” for him, according to the verdict.
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