The American Medical Association has not scheduled any formal discussions or debates about curtailing sexual abuse of patients by doctors at its upcoming convention despite evidence the problem is widespread, the Atlanta Constitution-Journal reported Monday.

Last year, the Atlanta Constitution-Journal published a five-part series concluding that sexual misconduct by U.S. doctors often goes unpunished. More recently, the newspaper noted AMA has procedures in place for punishing doctors who sexually abuse or harass other doctors or attendees at its own events, but questioned why patient abuse wasn't a topic for discussion at the association's annual meeting, which starts Saturday in Chicago.

"The organization's silence forfeits an opportunity to address a problem that has stirred public interest, patient advocates and medical ethicists say," the newspaper reported.

AMA declined to make any staff available to the newspaper to answer questions. The association instead submitted a statement from Patrice Harris, chair of the board of trustees, saying it has "zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment in any form."

"The medical profession must represent the highest ethical standards, and we take allegations of misconduct seriously," Harris said. http://bit.ly/2rDjPR9

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