A Canadian court has delivered a landmark ruling in one of the country's most disturbing medical privacy cases. A judge ordered Dr. Eugenberg, widely known as Dr. Six, to pay 22.5 million dollars in damages after it was proven that he secretly filmed patients during their visits using an elaborate network of 24 hidden cameras installed throughout his clinic.
The judge's language left no room for ambiguity about the severity of the offence. The court found that Dr. Eugenberg abused his position of trust, betrayed the vulnerable patients who came to him for medical care, and described his conduct as reprehensible. The patients, many of whom were seeking breast implant procedures, had no idea they were being recorded.
The case first came to light through an undercover investigation by CBC News, which was examining how popular plastic surgeons were marketing breast implant procedures. During the investigation, the hidden camera system was discovered, leading to the legal proceedings that culminated in this week's massive damages award.
Privacy advocates hailed the ruling as a crucial victory. We all believe this is such an important issue, said representatives of the affected patients. Privacy rights we need to protect and we need to fight for vigorously. The size of the damages sends a clear message to the medical profession about the consequences of violating patient trust.
Dr. Eugenberg has told CBC News he is reviewing the court's judgment and has previously acknowledged he should have done more to protect his patients. His medical licence remains active. The case has raised broader questions about surveillance in medical settings and the adequacy of existing regulations to protect patients from recording without their knowledge or consent.