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Australia\u2019s march toward medical authoritarianism continues.<\/p>\n
Doctors are now being told they could face discipline for saying anything that contradicts \u201cpublic health messaging,\u201d even if what they are saying is \u201cevidence-based.\u201d<\/p>\n
They may even face investigations for \u201cauthoring papers\u201d that health authorities do not like.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, I am not exaggerating.<\/p>\n
Like all physicians, Australian doctors can face disciplinary investigations for medical errors or other problems. In Australia, those investigations are called \u201cnotifications,\u201d a nicely Orwellian euphemism. AHPRA, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency, oversees them.<\/p>\n
On Feb. 28, a big Australian medical insurer warned physicians that to avoid Aphra notifications, they needed to \u201cbe very careful\u201d not to contradict \u201cpublic health messaging\u201d in social media comments.<\/p>\n
But the warning – although first mentioning social media – went even further. It also warned against \u201cauthoring papers\u201d that contradicted the authorities\u2019 favored views.<\/p>\n
Further, even \u201cviews\u2026 consistent with evidence-based material\u201d could lead to problems if they contradicted \u201cpublic health messaging.\u201d<\/p>\n
The warning came from the Medical Indemnity Protection Society, which provides professional insurance coverage for doctors. Although these insurers do not speak officially for government agencies, doctors effectively cannot practice without professional insurance, so their pronouncements are powerful.<\/p>\n