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.
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No, scientific consensus can quickly change and patients should be allowed to try unconventional ideas
@9G3G6WC7mos7MO
That would be illogical because no doctors should be performing such unconventional ideas and experiments on real patients as risk of injury and side effects is unknown and there is great risk of causing more harm.
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No, only when the advice was proven to harm the patient
@9G3G6WC7mos7MO
If the doctor is conducting these unorthodox untested methods on patients then by definition it is impossible to prove that harm will be done until after he tests it on that patient
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Should doctors who disagree with prevalent scientific consensus have a platform to express their views, and why?
@9H8LW445mos5MO
No, because it adds confusion to situations - and can lead to panic.
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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?
@9H8LHWXLiberal Democrat5mos5MO
Yes. Shouldn't say something bad about patients even though it's freedom of speech.
@9LQKWWG4 days4D
No, only when the advice is proven to harm the patient, and doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus and this should be recorded within medical records
@9LPL9DN6 days6D
This depends, if the doctor offers a different way than just paying and taking pills, then no, if the doctor says that being obese is okay/healthy or encouraged, they should lose their position, and their medical license
@9CZPTF89mos9MO
I think that’s fine as long as the patients who have the requisite mental capacity are given advice on both scientific stance and alternative options they can make their own informed decision
@9CP2FCQ10mos10MO
Neutral, depends on circumstances but also science can change and sub unconventional or generally different approaches should not be discarded or disapproved/sneered at, either way things should be done appropriately and safeguarded, and more should be done to protect and prevent people/things, as much as possible, but even treatments etc are not always one size fits all and not all data is rigid or right.
@99M4YNF1yr1Y
Yes, but only if they do this repeatedly and if that medical advice is potentially dangerous.
@99LJRCM1yr1Y
It should be considered in a case by case basis.
@99L7SPV1yr1Y
send them to solitary confiment
@9CLYVLZ 2mos2MO
No, only when the advice was proven to harm the patient and doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus
This depends on the case in question. Anti vaccine yes, but things like homeopathic remedies no (unless advised in place of life saving treatment)
@9HRMVMY4mos4MO
Yes, however patients should be offered all the information available in order to choose their own course of treatment.
@9GZD6SJConservative5mos5MO
Depends, generally doctors should stick to contemporary scientific consensus but if there ideas works better or just as well then it should be taken into consideration.
@9GLZWCQ6mos6MO
No, medical boards should be fined and scrutinised for NOT keeping upto date with actual cutting edge science. The GMC does not own "contemporary scientific consensus"; they are decades behind.
@9GJDDQ66mos6MO
Yes, but only if the advice was proven to harm the patient OR if the doctor did not disclose that this advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus
@9GDVMLK6mos6MO
No, so long as the advice is issued with appropriate information for the patient to have informed consent.
@9G5MCLJ7mos7MO
Yes, only when the advice was proven to harm the patient, and then the doctors should also lose their licenses. The doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus but scientific consensus can quickly change and patients should be allowed to try unconventional ideas.
@9FQSM5Q7mos7MO
No, as there are always individuals who benefit from atypical treatments but if any religious or political interest is found to be involved in the recommendation, immediately revoke the medical licence and impost jail time
@9FLZYCS7mos7MO
if they are part of the NHS then yes
@9F58ZK48mos8MO
Doctors should be punished when they cause deliberate or foreseeable harm. But unconventional treatments are sometimes necessary.
@9DW4LKH8mos8MO
If its a public doctor, yes. Private doctor, no.
@9D2Q5C89mos9MO
No, but all procedures will need to go through peer review before it’s considered legal
@9BPYVF312mos12MO
No, but the doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus and show evidence to patients to demonstrate why their stance is what it is
@9BNG34512mos12MO
Yes, but allow a probation period for doctors within their first year after qualification.
@9BGL4Q91yr1Y
Yes, if the information being provided has been proven to be false. And if it has not been proven to be false, the patient should be informed that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus.
information given by the doctors must be proven properly.
well personally in my opinion according to my statistic therefore i suggest idk
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@9DYT8S38mos8MO
The board should only penalise medical practitioners when the advice has been proven to harm the patient and also if such medical practitioners do not disclose that the advice contradicts with modern scientific understanding.
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