BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. (KAIT/Gray News) – Disturbing new footage has surfaced, showing an Arkansas physician, Dr. David Diffine, engaging in inappropriate behavior while completely nude in his medical practice, alarming both staff and patients alike.
The Arkansas State Medical Board initiated an investigation after receiving explicit video evidence from a whistleblower, highlighting several troubling instances of Diffine’s conduct within the walls of his Blytheville office.
According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, the surveillance footage, recorded in 2019, captures Diffine’s alarming behavior while he roams his practice without clothing, including in corridors frequented by patients.
The shocking video reveals Dr. Diffine parading naked in areas such as the hallway that connects patient rooms, further compromising the environment of trust and professionalism expected in a medical setting.
In one graphic segment of the footage, Diffine is seen in the receptionist’s office, exposing himself to three female employees during working hours.
The most appalling moment occurs when he performs a sexual act directly on one of those women, raising serious ethical and legal questions about his treatment of both employees and patients.
Documentary evidence indicates that the victim not only served as a lab technician employed by another organization but was also a patient receiving medical care from Diffine, thereby highlighting an egregious abuse of power.
The whistleblower, who submitted the footage, asserted that all incidents depicted occurred during regular business hours, adding to the gravity of the situation.
This individual also alleged that Diffine exploited his professional authority, employing methods of manipulation, including salary increases, to coerce employees and patients into participating in repugnant sexual acts.
In light of these serious allegations, on October 13, the Arkansas State Medical Board moved decisively to suspend Diffine’s medical license pending the outcome of their investigation, which had been instigated by the videos presented to them in July.
In findings produced by Dr. Bradley Diner of the Arkansas Medical Foundation, he remarked on the severity of Diffine’s actions, indicating that his pervasive behavior raised concerns about potential sexual compulsivity that may cross professional boundaries in delivering medical care.
During a phone interview conducted by the Arkansas Department of Health in September, Diffine was confronted with the existence of video evidence documenting his misconduct.
When informed, Diffine responded with apparent ignorance, stating, “I don’t know anything about that at all,” implying a complete denial of the allegations against him.
This disturbing situation is not Diffine’s first brush with scrutiny; earlier this year, the Arkansas State Medical Board fielded complaints regarding his self-described “naturist activities.”
In a January complaint, the medical board was made aware of Diffine sharing nude images of himself on social media platforms, raising additional eyebrows about his professionalism.
Included in the complaint were screenshots that traced back to one of Diffine’s now-deleted Instagram accounts, identified as @naked.drdave.
In his defense to the board, Diffine claimed his naturist lifestyle promoted body positivity and acceptance, rejecting negative societal attitudes towards nudity.
During the board’s meeting in June, officials decided against taking further action, opting instead to file the documentation for reference in any future inquiries regarding Diffine’s conduct.
Notably, Diffine has faced allegations in the past regarding the illegal distribution of pain medications, leading to a temporary suspension of his medical license in 2017.
Although that investigation concluded without evidence of violations against the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, concerns persist about his professional judgment.
Prior to these incidents, Diffine entered a deferred prosecution agreement in Missouri in 2011 after facing medical board investigations and criminal charges for similar offenses related to pain medication distribution.
Criminal charges against him were subsequently dismissed, and he consented to refrain from practicing medicine in Missouri for a three-year period.
The Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts later opted to close the investigation without further actions taken against him.
As the situation continues to unfold, Dr. Diffine’s hearing is scheduled for December 6, where he will face questions about his conduct that have already shaken the medical community to its core.
**Interview with Dr. Sarah Mitchell, Medical Ethics Specialist**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Mitchell. The recent revelations about Dr. David Diffine’s behavior have shocked many. Can you provide some context on why this situation raises profound ethical concerns within the medical community?
**Dr. Mitchell:** Absolutely. First and foremost, a doctor-patient relationship is built on trust and professionalism. Dr. Diffine’s actions—engaging in sexual acts within the confines of his practice—completely undermine that trust. It creates an environment of fear and uncertainty for both staff and patients, which is unacceptable in any healthcare setting.
**Interviewer:** The evidence presented shows significant exploitation of power dynamics, especially concerning a patient who was also an employee. How common is such an abuse of power in medical environments?
**Dr. Mitchell:** Unfortunately, cases of power abuse do occur, though they are not the norm. Physicians hold a position of authority and trust, so when that power is exploited for personal gain, it not only victimizes individuals but can also tarnish the reputation of the entire profession. The dual role of that individual as both a patient and an employee only intensifies the ethical violations at play here.
**Interviewer:** The Arkansas State Medical Board has suspended Dr. Diffine’s license. What are the implications of this action, and what might follow in terms of accountability?
**Dr. Mitchell:** The suspension is a critical first step in protecting patients and employees while the investigation continues. Depending on the findings, further disciplinary actions could include revocation of his medical license, criminal charges, or civil penalties. Moreover, it sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated in the medical community.
**Interviewer:** There were also previous complaints regarding his “naturist activities.” What does this suggest about the patterns of behavior prior to these recent allegations?
**Dr. Mitchell:** The earlier complaints hint at a troubling pattern of boundary violations and a disregard for professional norms. Sharing nude images on social media, for instance, raises significant red flags about a physician’s understanding of appropriate behavior in both personal and professional contexts. These behaviors might suggest deeper issues in maintaining suitable boundaries between a physician’s personal life and their professional responsibilities.
**Interviewer:** What steps can the medical community take to prevent such incidents in the future?
**Dr. Mitchell:** Education is key. Increasing awareness around ethical standards and the importance of maintaining professional boundaries through training can help. Institutions must also ensure that there are clear reporting mechanisms in place for employees and patients. Creating a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to report misconduct without fear of retaliation is vital for prevention.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Mitchell, for sharing your insights on this unsettling situation.
**Dr. Mitchell:** Thank you for having me. It’s important we continue to discuss these issues to protect all individuals involved in healthcare.
