November 11, 2021
GCMB adopts policy on medical misinformation and disinformation
The Georgia Composite Medical Board issues this statement regarding its Policy on Medical Misinformation and Disinformation. The GCMB is in agreement with the statement from the Federation of the State Medical Boards with regards to the COVID-19 vaccine misinformation which states the following:
Physicians who generate and spread COVID-19 vaccine misinformation or disinformation are risking disciplinary action by state medical boards, including the suspension or revocation of their medical license. Due to their specialized knowledge and training, licensed physicians possess a high degree of public trust and therefore have a powerful platform in society, whether they recognize it or not. They also have an ethical and professional responsibility to practice medicine in the best interests of their patients and must share information that is factual, scientifically grounded and consensus-driven for the betterment of public health. Spreading inaccurate COVID-19 vaccine information contradicts that responsibility, threatens to further erode public trust in the medical profession and puts all patients at risk.