Just got an email from a friend who said her psychiatrist (MD) had taken eight months off unexpectedly and without prior notice, and when she had called the secretary she was told it was "health related" and now she's curious to know if when she does see the psychiatrist can she ask him about it or if it's against the law (or that it's socially inappropriate), fearing she will be told off or how it will affect their relationship.

Also everybody online had told her it's none of her business. That doctors if they're back it means they're fine.

But it got me thinking too, especially because I was once traumatized by a psychiatrist who because of previous abuse of patients had continued to practice in a limited way, though unknown to me or referring doctor. It was limited by law that only allowed this person continued visits with old patients and not taking on new ones (which is how I ended up seeing this person).

So in theory a good doctor should know and be responsible for his/her actions and how they affect the patients. But it doesn't always happen and there are news articles about them and of course I personally experienced one such person's actions at great cost.

This of course also triggers my issue with authority figures, the imbalance of power in patient/doctor relationship (one party know pretty much everything, another party doesn't; of course by design), and last but not least, need for safety and freedom from harm.

I figured I won't reply for now but I pose this here to get some perspective and views, maybe even somebody in similar situation.