A healthy relationship between a patient and a physician is proper and should be developed by the physician for the patient's well being. This strong relationship is important to the total health care process. However, the media may send a confusing message by romanticizing and blurring the appropriate boundaries physicians are expected to maintain with their patients. The American Medical Association and the Maryland Board of Physicians, as well as most other state licensing boards, regard sexual contact between a physician and a patient as unethical conduct. It may be normal for a patient to feel attracted to a physician who is attentive, kind, and caring, but doctors have a responsibility to provide competent care without sexual exploitation.