TORONTO STAR June 4, GTA section pp 1 & 4 Staff reporter JACQUES GALLANT U.Tor Neurology(St.Michael's Hosp.) Prof. Paul O'CONNOR MD(Tor.1979) FRCPC(1985)

Neuroscience Research Program

Paul W. O'Connor

MD, University of Toronto; FRCPC (neurology), University of Toronto; Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; M.Sc. (clinical epidemiology), University of Toronto

Affiliations

Director, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinic and MS Research and the Evoked Potentials Laboratory, St. Michael's Hospital
Scientist in the Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital
Staff, Neurology, St. Michael's Hospital
Professor of Medicine, Neurology, University of Toronto
National Scientific and Clinical Advisor, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Core faculty, Clinical Epidemiology and Health Care Research Program, University of Toronto
Coordinator, MS Program, University of Toronto
Associate Member, Graduate Department of Community Health, University of Toronto
Associate Member, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto

USA NATIONAL MS SOCIETY
In addition to its physical symptoms, MS may have profound emotional consequences. At first, it may be difficult to adjust to the diagnosis of a disorder that is unpredictable, has a fluctuating course, and carries a risk of progressing over time to some level of physical disability. Lack of knowledge about the disease adds to the anxieties commonly experienced by people who are newly diagnosed. In addition to these emotional reactions to the disease, demyelination and damage to nerve fibers in the brain can also result in emotional changes. Some of the medications used in MS — such as corticosteroids — can also have significant effects on the emotions. Some of the emotional changes observed in MS include the following:

• Major depressive episodes as well as less severe depressive symptoms
• Grieving for losses related to the disease
• Stress and reactions to stressful situations
• Generalized distress and anxiety
• Emotional lability or mood swings
• Pseudobulbar Affect - uncontrollable laughing and/or crying
• Inappropriate behavior such as sexual aggressiveness

A very small proportion of people with MS exhibit inappropriate behavior such as sexual disinhibition. This type of behavior is thought to result in part from MS-related damage to the normal inhibitory functions of the brain. These behaviors may also reflect very poor judgment related to cognitive dysfunction caused by MS. Such behavior is generally beyond the control of the individual and is not a sign of moral weakness or sociopathic tendencies.


The treatment of these problems is complex. The person with MS may require some form of psychiatric medication, perhaps along with psychotherapy. Family members will probably need supportive counseling since these behaviors are often shocking and disruptive. In some cases, the affected individual may require supervision to prevent the manifestation of the behaviors in question


TOR. STAR(TODAY): In 2003 patient complained about alleged conversation which included sexual references. Also she met Prof O'Connor at a MS Charity event.  The CPSO recommended a "boundaries" course which Prof O'connor completed. The case was not sent the Discipline committee. Patient appealed to HSARB (Health Services Appeal Review Board Tribunal which TWICE returned case back to CPSO for consideration. This is the third time the HSARB has`referred`case to CPSO for  consideration to refer to Discipline committee. The Tor Star printed a picture of Prof.O'Connor,.CMPA-paid lawyer Ms Keary GRACE. of  Toronto branch of McCarthy Tetrault.

Ms Grace has appeared before courts of all levels in Ontario. She has appeared as counsel before various administrative boards and tribunals. She has extensive experience with professional liability and regulatory matters, having acted as counsel for physicians in a wide variety of cases. Ms Grace acts as a Designated Representative for unrepresented minors at refugee hearings on a pro bono basis. Ms Grace received her Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Ottawa in 1987 and her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2001. She was awarded the S.J. Birnbaum Scholarship from the Law Society of Upper Canada (Bar Admission Course).Ms Grace was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2002.  She is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association and The Advocates’ Society.

COMMENT Dr.A.Franklin
Chaperone imperative in Ontario when in consultation with a patient.. Also recording conversation important Discipline committee usually has no hard evidence but only probability. Case of Toronto 400 Walmer Rd @ St Clair, Psychiatrist SZATMARI, an arthritic and respiratory cripple who could hardly move with a walker and spoke with difficulty. Dr.Szatmani was brought before the Discipline Committee on accusation by an "actress" that he molested her. After seeing Dr Szatmari the Case was dismissed.. Dr Szatmari died a few months later.