by: brenna owen
doctors in b.c. could face investigation or penalties from their regulatory body if they contradict public health orders or guidance about covid-19, the college of physicians and surgeons of b.c. says.
some doctors are spreading “misinformation that promotes anti-vaccine, anti-mask wearing, anti-physical distancing and anti-lockdown stances,” the college said in a joint statement with the first nations health authority.
there’s also a concern that certain doctors are promoting covid-19 treatments “not supported by widely accepted scientific evidence,” it said.
the public tends to place great weight on doctors’ opinions, while misinformation breaches public trust and violates a doctor’s ethical obligations, said the statement dated may 6.
“physicians must be guided by the laws that govern them, regulatory practice standards and guidelines, the code of ethics and professionalism, and scientific evidence when giving their opinions about covid-19.”
dr. heidi oetter, registrar and ceo of the college, said public statements from doctors that contradict accepted covid-19 public health orders and guidance are “confusing and potentially harmful to patients.”