Ex-Kitchener neurologist Jeffrey Sloka outlines process for different examinations at trial
Sloka has pleaded not guilty to all counts
Warning: This story contains some graphic details.
Ex-Kitchener neurologist Jeffrey Sloka outlined his process for performing skin, cardiac and neurological exams during a second day of giving testimony at the Waterloo Region Courthouse on Wednesday.
Sloka is facing 50 counts of sexual assault in connection to incidents dating back to 2010. The alleged victims, who were patients seeking treatment, ranged in age from their teens to their 50s.
The defence asked about some continued education that Sloka did in 2014 in Newfoundland and Labrador, which is a requirement by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Sloka had arranged to do observation at a dermatology clinic in Newfoundland and Labrador to get insight into performing a total body skin exam on women because he wanted to do his own skin exams in a more sensitive manner, he said.
Sloka had a primary practice at Grand River Hospital but also had privileges at Guelph General Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener.
Through a line of questioning by his lawyer, Sloka said he'd perform skin exams on patients because there's a connection between the skin and the brain; he said there are some neurological conditions on the skin that would require such exams.
During his testimony Wednesday, Sloka was asked to detail the process of a skin exam, in which he explained that it takes about two to three minutes.
Sloka said that a patient would be in a gown either with nothing on underneath or wearing their underwear. He'd visually inspect the entire body, including their head and face, back and arms.
When inspecting the front torso, he said that he asked patients to lower the gown to their waist revealing their upper body. For larger breasted women he said he would ask if he could move their breasts using the base of his thumb.
In inspecting the legs, he said that they'd be fully exposed to the groin crease. He would've inspected the buttocks area during this time, and said that he'd get consent to look at the groin area, which he'd look at for about five seconds.
The defense had asked if he would touch the patient's skin during this process, and he said "rarely" – only if there was a lump, and he'd get consent beforehand.
Following complaints, Sloka told the court that he always had a chaperone present from around 2015 onward.
Sloka also countered earlier testimony provided by Dr. Vera Bril, a neurological expert, who had objected to skin exams for a specific neurological condition of the skin. Bril had suggested genetic testing instead, but Sloka said that this sort of testing isn't 100 per cent accurate.
It's alleged Sloka asked patients to undress so he could perform a physical or skin examination during neurological exams in his practice. It's also alleged he touched his patients' breasts. In some instances, it is alleged he inserted his fingers into the patients.
Sloka has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Process for cardiac exams
Sloka was also asked about cardiac exams, which he said he'd perform if patients experienced things like loss of consciousness or headaches.
In walking through the process for such an exam, he said that he'd give his patients the option of a detailed exam across the chest, performed in a gown, or a "modest" one.
Sloka said that for detailed exams, he'd use the stethoscope on different parts of the back and chest with consent. During parts of it, he said that the left breast could be exposed.
In some instances he said he would be required to move the left breast during examination, which he'd ask to do and use the back of his hand.
When it came to neurological exams, Sloka said that he had his standardized way to conduct them when it comes to content and sequence.
He was asked by defence to walk through the standard complete neurological exam, which, Sloka said, involved touching of different body parts including the face and arms.
Breast exams
Wednesday ended with the defense inquiring about breast exams, which Sloka said that he'd preformed in some instances such as if someone had a breast lump and they were concerned about it.
He also had instances where he prescribed birth control pills, in which he'd perform a breast exam, explaining that they're required by the pharmaceutical company. He said that he wanted to ensure users were tumour free.
Sloka was put under restrictions in September 2017 due to the accusations. He was then stripped of his licence in May 2019 and arrested four months later in September.
Police announced multiple sets of charges against Sloka and by June 17, he faced 76 allegations in connection with separate sexual assaults against women in Waterloo region. However, 26 were withdrawn at the request of the Crown.
Sloka is expected to return to the stand on Thursday for a third day of testimony.
Read more about this trial and events leading up to it through CBC's coverage here:
- Kitchener neurologist faces hearing over sexual abuse accusations
- Former Kitchener neurologist stripped of licence after patients sexually assaulted
- Former Kitchener, Ont., neurologist charged with 34 counts of sexual assault
- Former Kitchener neurologist faces new sexual assault charges
- Woman sues former Kitchener neurologist accused of sexually assaulting 63 patients
- Waterloo Regional Police lay 8 more sexual assault charges on former neurologist
- Trial of former Kitchener neurologist opens with summary of years of alleged sexual assaults
- Trial of ex-Kitchener neurologist continues as expert outlines standards for exams
- Intimate exams were 'not necessary', says expert at trial of ex-Kitchener neurologist
- Ex-Kitchener neurologist Sloka documented breast exams on patients, says Crown
- Ex-Kitchener neurologist Jeffrey Sloka testifies in sexual assault trial
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