Responding to Inappropriate Behaviours

During the discussion the resident may behave in a way that is deemed inappropriate (e.g. making sexual advances towards the interviewer). The resident may mistake you for their spouse, partner, or significant other, or misinterpret the meaning of words or actions, such as the topics covered during the interview. If this occurs, it is important to remain calm, non-judgemental, and avoid displaying signs of embarrassment or shock. It is important to be respectful towards the resident, and remember that the resident may not be aware that their behaviour is inappropriate.

Remind the resident of who you are, your role, and respectfully identify the behaviour which is inappropriate. In some cases, the resident may not be able to comprehend why their behaviour is inappropriate, and in this instance, words may be ineffective. Instead, it can be useful to distract the resident or re-direct their behaviour. Using humour may be helpful for this, however it is critical to remain respectful towards the resident.

If you feel that you are at risk, you must remove yourself from the situation, and seek support. The inappropriate behaviour may need to be reported, to determine what triggered the behaviour, and how this can be avoided in the future. You may need to debrief with a colleague or supervisor, to receive support if you experience distress following the inappropriate behaviour.