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.
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
Yes, this will decrease the amount of misinformation patients receive
@B2YN53H 2mos2MO
It will help to reduce bias and gove a greater field of results for patients to explore within their own care.
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
No, scientific consensus can quickly change and patients should be allowed to try unconventional ideas
I agree that patients should be allowed to try unconventional ideas, but doctors should not be the ones suggesting these ideas unless the scientifically accepted methods have not worked. If a patient asks about unconventional methods doctors can offer advice regarding those methods and work alongside other practitioners.
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
No, only when the advice was proven to harm the patient
@B4R37BN 6 days6D
How would that be measured?
For example, a doctor gives outdated advice on breastfeeding which causes a mother to stop suddenly with no support which leads do masitis plus not to mention she stopped before she wanted to leading to depression which spirals into other issues. Lawyers would fight tooth and nail that the cause of issues escalating was all simply 'hormonal' when contemporary scientific consensus tells us supporting breastfeeding goals is best for families. Doctors have an obligation to help their patient and if they aren't up to date on a topic, refer them to someone who is so the patient is well supported. No excuse for outdated knowledge anymore.
@B4TTKRG2 days2D
Yes, they should be able to penalise for unequivocal misinformation, but there should be a caveat for grey areas in the scientific consensus.
@B45LXSB1mo1MO
Yes, depending on the severity of the situation. It will reduce the amount of doctors who might be unqualified and miss using their position. But in situations where they gave advice they aren't qualified or unproven, that ends up hurting the patent the doctor should have their licence stripped.
@B2S8S553mos3MO
Yes, as medical care should be based on scientific consensus. However experimental treatments should remain open to the terminally ill.
@B2KWFG63mos3MO
no but yes. no to debunked and nonsense advice, but yes for proven traditional health advice.
@B2DVYCF3mos3MO
Where doctors give advice that contradicts consensus, they should inform the patient of the contradiction, explain the discrepancy, support their advice with evidence and be accountable if the patient follows it.
Yes, and subject them to a review of their medical license if this behavior is repeated.
@B22G8ZN5mos5MO
No, only if it’s deliberate misinformation and harms the patient.
No, but they should be reviewed if they are fit to hold a license if they make such statements.
@9SDR7BF8mos8MO
Yes, only if this was intentional and to promote an idea and not a mistake or miscommunication
Contemporary medicine isn’t always the best treatment for some patients. There are scientific breakthroughs every so often
@9N679WG11mos11MO
It depends on the advice given, but the doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus
Yes but only if either the advice is egregious or the consequences of the advice were egregious.
Some scientific consensus can be outdated or false so it depends
Depends on how risky/safe the alternate procedure is.
It depends on what the advice is, it should be carefully looked over and explained to the patient and let them know the facts, but allow them to choose
No, patients should choose what they feel is right for them based on information provided
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
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@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
No, unless the advice has been found to be actively incorrect and/or harmful in the past for the majority of patients.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
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