Yichud- Is It Permissible For A Lady To Be Alone With A Male Doctor
*** This Halacha deals with topic of Yichud. Yichud is the concept that a man may not be secluded with a forbidden woman. Please read all the Halachot on this topic as there are conditions and exclusions that must be fully understood before accepting Lema’ase. ***
Chacham Ovadia Yoseph brings down in the 2nd Chapter of his masterpiece publication ‘Tahart HaBayit’, that ladies preferably should go to a female physician, and especially so where the female doctor is equal in skill to a local male doctor. In fact, Chacham Ovadia Yoseph stands among many Poskim whom are very strict on this subject. But in the event a woman must visit a male doctor, she all the more so must make sure to behave modestly and with humility. The Shevet HaLevi (Rav Shmuel Halevi Wosner) writes that she must not be flirtatious, and that she must maintain her dignity when visiting a male doctor.
It should be pointed out that the laws of Yichud apply to a doctor as well. So under the general rule of Yichud, it would not be permissible for a male doctor to be alone in an examining room with a female patient. However, as we discussed in previous Halachot, there are ways around this problem. It is permissible for them to be alone in the room, if the door is unlocked and it’s known that a nurse can walk in at any moment. It’s also permissible for them to be alone under the leniency known as Ba’Ala Ba’Ir, which is when the lady’s husband is nearby in town and can come at any time as well.
Now, the premise of Ba’Ala Ba’Ir is based on the close proximity of the husband, thereby preventing any impropriety for fear that the husband can come to her at any moment. So many ask if this leniency really applies in the case of a doctor’s visit, for the husband gave prior consent, and she may claim that she had permission to be alone with the physician. The Rabbis however are lenient in this regard, and the leniency of Ba’Ala Ba’Ir would still be applicable.
It must be reiterated that the examining room door remain unlocked in all instances where a lady is alone with a male physician. Furthermore, the lady must be careful and follow the laws of modesty and Tzineeut. And lastly, if available, a lady should visit with a female doctor, but she may go to a male doctor if he is further advanced in his skills and expertise.
