Copyright Live 5 News WCSC
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina State Board of Medical Examiners has issued a final order against a Charleston doctor after being sanctioned for sexual misconduct with a patient. The board says it is suspending the license of Dr. Jeffrey George Schultze for one year, with the suspension immediately stayed and placed in probation, following findings of sexual misconduct. The board also mandated permanent chaperones for all patient encounters and ongoing employer reporting. Schultze also has to pay $200 for investigation costs. Schultze’s current office is at Liberty Doctors on Folly Road. The decision, which was finalized on Oct. 7, stems from incidents reported by a long-term patient, identified as “Jane Doe” in the board’s order. Doe had been under Schultze’s care for approximately 15 years, receiving treatment for chronic pain, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder. The final order says Doe reported three separate occasions from August and November 2021 and February 2022, where Schultze requested to see or touch her breasts without medical justification. Doe stated she felt compelled to comply due to fear of losing her critical pain treatment, as he was one of the few doctors in the area providing such care. The third encounter escalated to more severe sexual acts, which Doe audio-recorded. While the Charleston Police Department concluded the interactions were consensual and no criminal charges were filed, the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation began an investigation. Schultze admitted to engaging in “consensual sexual activity” with Doe and making non-medical requests to see her breasts. The medical board says that even if legally consensual, the acts constituted a severe breach of medical ethics and the inherent trust in the physician-patient relationship. The board highlighted Doe’s vulnerability due to her existing mental health conditions, which Schultze was aware of. An American Medical Association Code of Ethics Opinion says it prohibits romantic or sexual interactions between physicians and patients, for the potential for exploitation and harm. The board stated that these sanctions are not intended as punishment but are designed to protect the “life, health, and welfare of the people at large” by ensuring professional conduct and patient safety.
