A Toronto doctor who was “overly diligent” with breast, pelvic and rectal examinations has been found guilty of professional misconduct, but not of sexual abuse or incompetence.

Dr. Stanley Bo-Shui Chung, 66, is not facing criminal charges, but the decision, released Monday by the College of Physicians and Surgeons disciplinary committee could result in him losing his medical licence.

In half of the 20 cases, the committee found Chung failed to maintain the standard of care and was unprofessional in his conduct, but found allegations of “sexual abuse or sexual impropriety” were not proven in any of the 20 cases.

The former family physician retired in June 2012.

Originally from Hong Kong, Chung worked in Toronto for more than three decades, primarily with the Chinese community.

“Although misguided and clearly mistaken,” the committee found Chung “genuinely believed that all his examinations were necessary” and “in the best interest of his patients.”

The finding was a relief for the doctor, said his lawyer, Anne Spafford.

“The entire process has been extraordinarily distressing to Dr. Chung and his family,” she wrote in an email. “He is relieved that the Committee dismissed the allegations of sexual misconduct.”

Chung “was always motivated by the best interests of his patients,” Spafford said.

More than a decade ago, the college warned Chung that he needed to perform fewer internal examinations and stop combining them with breast examinations, but patient records show he continued in some cases.

A disciplinary hearing was prompted after a former patient, known publicly as Ms. A., came forward in 2010, alleging that for four years starting in 1989 when she was a teenager, Chung performed excessive breast and pelvic exams, touching her inappropriately and failing to respect her privacy.

Ms. A. came forward after a counsellor advised her to while treating her for postpartum depression following the 2009 birth of her son.

A broader college investigation then found similar concerns in Chung’s records.

While the committee agreed he “exceeded reasonable limits” and didn’t update his training, it dismissed suggestions from college counsel Alice Cranker that “the only inference to be made is that the examinations were conducted with sexual intent.”

Of particular concern for the committee were Chung’s “cavalier attitude toward examining virginal females” and the numerous exams he performed during pregnancy, which is an outdated practice.

“While attempting to serve his patients he was thoughtless, insensitive and disrespectful,” the committee said in its written decision. “This is a significant shortcoming.”

A penalty hearing has yet to be scheduled.

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