Re: Medical Professionals Speculating and Offering Opinions on the Medical Condition of Public Figures
I am sick of so-called professionals behaving unethically and being given a microphone by the so-called media to push an agenda. It is against American Medical Ethical guidelines to speculate on the medical condition of a public figure. So why aren't these unethical doctors taken to task for behaving unprofessionally? I think we all know why: Orange Man Bad Syndrome.
This bullshit needs to stop. These so-called doctors are violating ethical guidelines. If a lawyer or certified public accountant violates similar ethical guidelines he or she could lose his or her certification and ability to work in the field. So why is this Yale Ph.D., Dr Bandy Lee writing about "The dangerous case of Donald Trump" in Salon? The by-line says "Trump can no longer see reality". She is offering a medical opinion on a public figure which is a no-no according to the AMA. And she isn't being taken to task why? Orange Man Bad syndrome.
I'd love to hear the AMA comment on this one. Moving target anyone? Rules are rules…. EXCEPT…. if we don't like a public figure. Then whatever goes. Right?
"In fact, the American Psychiatric Association proscribes its members from commenting on the mental health of public figures under a nonbinding rule known as “the Goldwater Rule” [1], which originated after a 1964 magazine article that surveyed more than a thousand psychiatrists about Barry Goldwater’s emotional suitability for holding the office of president. (Goldwater later sued for libel and won a monetary settlement [2].) The fact that many mental health professionals routinely violate the Goldwater Rule does not invalidate it. Those of us in the health professions who are solicited for comments about public events would be wise to heed its rationale, regardless of our specialty [3]."
Direct Link: https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/speculating-public-figures-mental-health/2013-10
Archived Link: https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/speculating-public-figures-mental-health/2013-10