Toronto doctor’s obstetrical and gynecological care was neglectful, patients allege

Marie-Louise Fitrion was in a vulnerable state when she woke up in a hospital bed to find an obstetrician’s hand in her vagina. It was the morning of October 25, 2018, and she was about to give birth to her second child. This traumatic experience triggered memories of being sexually assaulted as a child, adding another layer of pain and suffering to an already difficult situation.

The obstetrician in question, Dr. Esther Park, has recently resigned from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) after her licence was restricted to office-based gynecology due to infection control issues at her clinic. Toronto Public Health found that medical instruments were not properly cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized, potentially exposing some 2,500 patients to blood-borne infections.

Patients who have come forward with allegations against Dr. Park describe abusive and inappropriate treatment during labor and invasive procedures. Many of these patients, including Fitrion, were dealing with health issues like postpartum depression, cancer, and post-traumatic stress, making it difficult for them to report their experiences at the time.

Fitrion, who had been grappling with the memory of her encounter with Dr. Park for years, finally decided to file a patient complaint with the CPSO in May. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can let go of the burden she has been carrying for so long.

The lack of effective monitoring of Dr. Park’s practice by regulatory bodies has been a common concern among patients who believe that their complaints were not taken seriously. Some patients have called for an independent review of regulatory bodies to ensure that incidents like this are properly investigated and prevented in the future.

Dr. Naila Ramji, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, emphasizes the importance of obtaining consent from patients, especially those with a history of trauma, before conducting any examinations. She stresses the need for clear communication to avoid re-traumatizing patients.

Despite Dr. Park’s resignation and the closure of her clinic, the investigation into her practices is ongoing. Toronto Public Health continues to follow up on lab results and is conducting an internal review to improve their response to infection control lapses in medical settings.

For Fitrion, filing the patient complaint was a symbolic step towards healing and letting go of the weight she has been carrying for so long. She hopes that by speaking out, she can bring attention to the need for better oversight of medical practices to protect patients from harm.