A recent study into misconduct in the medical profession has found there is a fourfold likelihood of male doctors being disciplined for misconduct than female doctors, with obstetrician-gynaecologists and psychiatrists being the ones most likely to be reprimanded.

The University of Melbourne looked at 485 disciplinary cases before medical tribunals in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and New Zealand from 2000 to 2009, before being published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

The study found almost a quarter of misconduct cases were accounted for by sexual misconduct, the most common reason for disciplinary action.

Around 21% of the cases were accounted for by unethical or illegal prescribing, while missed diagnosis, breach of registration conditions and failure to obtain informed consent, were some of the other types of misconduct.

According to Katie Elkin, the author of the study, the most prevalent form of misconduct was sexual misconduct.

As well, the study also found men to be four times more likely to be found guilty of misconduct, than women, giving us a more accurate picture of what goes on in this area, including providing the public and governments a better picture regarding behaviour in this area and the response of tribunals to it.