Charlotte Observer (North Carolina)

October 5, 1996 Saturday ONE-3 EDITION

PSYCHIATRIST IS DISCIPLINED AGAIN

BYLINE: KAREN GARLOCH, Staff Writer

SECTION: METRO; Pg. 1C

LENGTH: 348 words

A Charlotte psychiatrist who gave up his medical privileges in 1989 after admitting he had sexual relationships with two patients has been disciplined again, for making inappropriate statements to patients.
In 1993, the N.C. Medical Board reinstated Dr. Robert Shive’s license with certain conditions, but after meeting with Shive this summer, the board reprimanded him for “having made inappropriate statements to two of his female patients” during therapy sessions.
In a consent order dated Aug. 20, the medical board ordered Shive to send written apologies to the two patients and to limit his medical practice to males.
Shive must also continue his personal psychotherapy, and his therapist must submit reports to the board every three months, the order says.
Board officials said the law prevents them from providing details about the case.
Shive could not be reached for comment. His license expires Nov. 30.
Shive, 62, graduated from Davidson College in the ’50s and studied medicine at UNC Chapel Hill. He surrendered his license Nov. 30, 1989, promising to seek therapy as ordered by the medical board.
He had reported his misconduct to the board earlier that year, after ending a sexual relationship with a female patient. He also admitted to having an earlier affair with another patient. Both women sued him; their cases were dismissed with prejudice in 1993, meaning that the suits cannot be refiled.
In 1990 and 1991, Shive asked the medical board to reinstate his license, saying he felt ready to practice psychiatry again. The board denied those requests.
In August 1993, the board issued him a limited license. He was not allowed to practice psychotherapy and he was required to have a chaperone present when he saw patients.
In several board actions since, Shive’s license was extended and he was limited to working at agencies approved by the board, including the Family Connection, a Charlotte mental health center that has since merged with another group. A receptionist there said Shive is no longer affiliated with the Family Connection.