South Carolina State Board of Medical Examiners v. Hedgepath

FINNEY, Chief Justice.

This is a medical disciplinary case. The circuit court held a South Carolina physician had no ethical duty to maintain his patients’ confidences, and therefore reversed the decision of the Board of Medical Examiners (Board). The Board found respondent committed misconduct in breaching this duty, and imposed a public reprimand upon him. We reverse the circuit court’s order, and reinstate the Board’s decision.

Respondent is a medical doctor engaged in the general practice of medicine and addictionology. During 1989, he acted as a family therapist for a married couple, Mr.…