"He sent the nurse multiple text messages, poems, and Facebook messages expressing romantic interest despite her repeated rejections."
Panduranga Mallikarjun Rapuri, the sole inpatient psychiatrist in a regional area of Western Australia, admitted to professional misconduct for sexually harassing a nurse between late 2023 and early 2024.
Incident & Sanctions
The Medical Board of Australia suspended Dr. Rapuri for three and a half months. Upon return, conditions will be imposed on his practice. The board did not seek a longer suspension, citing a shortage of psychiatrists in the region.
According to agreed facts published by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT), Dr. Rapuri is the sole psychiatrist responsible for inpatient mental health care in the region and directly supervises two junior trainees.
Mitigating Factors
Both Dr. Rapuri and the Medical Board acknowledged mitigating factors, including his acknowledgment of an error in judgment, expression of remorse, and treatment by a psychologist for his mental health. The board also noted his valuable skills and commitment to developing psychiatric services in the region, as well as support from senior colleagues.
Employer & Professional Response
- WA Country Health Service stated that sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable and that immediate action was taken to protect staff.
- WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat also described sexual harassment as completely unacceptable.
- The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is reviewing Dr. Rapuri's membership status based on the tribunal's orders.