Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners Issues New Policy on Physician Discipline for Spreading COVID-19 Vaccination “Misinformation” or “Disinformation”
The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners adopted a policy on September 21, 2021, that could result in the suspension or revocation of a physician’s license if the Board determines that the physician has generated and spread “misinformation or disinformation” about COVID-19 vaccines.
In the new policy, the Board states that physicians “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.” Accordingly, the Board takes the position that “[s]preading inaccurate COVID-19 vaccine information contradicts that responsibility, threatens to further erode public trust in the medical profession and puts all patients at risk.” A copy of the policy can be found here.
The COVID-19 pandemic and response is an evolving situation. All levels of government are engaged in the process of preparing new legislation, regulations and orders both to stem the spread of the virus and to provide relief to employers and employees. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as applicable, especially as such updates affect healthcare providers and their practices.
