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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsHealthcare1yr ago

Should medical boards penalize doctors who give health advice that contradicts contemporary scientific consensus?

In 2022 lawmakers in the U.S. state of California passed legislation which empowered the state medical board to discipline doctors in the state who “disseminate misinformation or disinformation” that contradicts the “contemporary scientific consensus” or is “contrary to the standard of care.” Proponents of the law argue that doctors should be punished for spreading misinformation and that there is clear consensus on certain issues such as that apples contain sugar, measles is caused by a virus, and Down syndrome is caused by a chromosomal abnormality. Opponents argue that the law limits freedom of speech and scientific “consensus” often changes within mere months.

437 Replies

 @ISIDEWITHasked…5mos5MO

How might punishing doctors for their advice affect the patient-doctor trust relationship?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…5mos5MO

Should doctors who disagree with prevalent scientific consensus have a platform to express their views, and why?

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In your opinion, how can a balance be maintained between innovation in medicine and adhering to established scientific facts?

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If a doctor's advice based on old scientific beliefs harms a patient, who should be held responsible?

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Should there be a line drawn between freedom of speech and professional responsibility in healthcare, and where would you draw it?

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Can you think of a time when the 'scientific consensus' was wrong and how that impacts your view on this issue?

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What if a treatment worked for you but is not widely accepted by the scientific community, should the doctor be penalized for recommending it?

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How do you think spreading unverified medical information by a professional could affect public health?

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Should a doctor's personal beliefs influence the health advice they give to their patients?

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How would you feel if a doctor gave you health advice that later turned out to be incorrect?

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No, but the doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus

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No, only when the advice was proven to harm the patient

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Yes, this will decrease the amount of misinformation patients receive

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No, scientific consensus can quickly change and patients should be allowed to try unconventional ideas

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No, this limits medical debate and freedom of speech

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Yes, and the doctors should also lose their medical license

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No

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Yes